B.C. – A new government survey is looking for input on strengthening support for survivors of domestic and sexual abuse in B.C.
The province recently implemented recent changes that provide job-protected, unpaid leave for people trying to escape domestic or sexual violence.
However, B.C and Alberta are the only provinces that do not offer paid leave for survivors.
In Canada, most provinces and the federal government require employers to provide paid leave for victims of domestic or sexual violence ranging from two to five days.
“We don’t want people to end up with economic insecurity from facing domestic or sexual violence”, said Mitzi Dean, Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity in an interview with MyNelsonNow.com.
The current act provides up to 10 days per calendar year of unpaid leave, as well as up to an extra 15 consecutive weeks of unpaid leave.
These provisions help people take the time needed to go to medical appointments, look for a new home and restore their lives without having to worry about losing their job.
Before the changes to the act, workers could take time from their job only if their employer agreed to the leave.