City rules out ‘domestic leave’

Erin Pearson
GEELONG’S council has ruled out following Surf Coast Shire in introducing paid leave for victims of family violence leave.
A City of Greater Geelong spokesperson said council had “no immediate plans” to adopt Surf Coast’s Australian-first entitlement for physical, sexual, emotional, financial or verbal abuse.
Surf Coast Shire introduced the 20-day leave at the behest of Australian Services Union.
The Surf Coast agreement has been described as “possibly the most progressive in the world on family violence”.
Australian Council of Trade Unions president Ged Kearney said the Surf Coast agreement could become a “template for all workplaces”.
“This agreement…is groundbreaking and I encourage other unions and employers to consider adopting a similar entitlement.”
But CCI Lawyers’ Sean Millard, whose business advises Victorian Employers’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was concerned about how businesses could deal with the “highly sensitive issue” of family violence.
“It raises a question over whether employers should be expected to entertain such a clause agreement,” he said.
“It will certainly raise domestic violence leave as an issue and I expect some reluctance from others to provide leave in addition to the current sick, compassionate and holiday leave on offer. Small and medium business simply won’t have the resources to be able to provide another 20 days of paid leave.”