Florida Passes Domestic Violence Leave Law

Florida lawmakers recently passed legislation requiring employers to grant workers up to three days to handle matters related to domestic violence. The law took effect on July 1 and applies to employers with 50 workers or more.

Lawmakers and advocates against domestic violence believe the measure will help victims of domestic violence by allowing them enough time off to take care of legal, medical and security matters without the fear of losing their job because of too many unscheduled absences.

Under the law, employers can decide whether the leave is paid or unpaid and can require workers to use up their vacation and sick days before granting domestic violence leave. What’s more, businesses must keep confidential all information pertaining to leave related to domestic violence.

“I do not expect this to have a large impact on most employers. I expect that most employers will incorporate the requirements of Florida's domestic leave law within their existing Family and Medical Leave policy,” says Diane Stanton, a managing partner at the Florida-based Jackson Lewis law firm.

“The main point of difference is that employees will be eligible for domestic violence leave after only 90 days of employment and irrespective of the number of hours worked, while employees are not eligible to take leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act until they have been employed for 12 months and have worked 1,250 hours,” she adds.

Source: SHRM