Victims of domestic and sexualized violence now have access to paid and unpaid leave under the Employment Standards Act, following today’s proclamation of Bill 10.
This leave may be accessed by victims of domestic violence perpetrated by intimate partners or family members and by victims of sexualized violence. Yukon’s leave also extends to employees if their child, a person they care for or a close friend is a victim of domestic or sexualized violence.
As part of the implementation of this new leave, the Yukon government reached out to stakeholders including, gender-equality seeking organizations, Indigenous women’s organizations and LGBTQ2S+ groups, as well as First Nations development corporations and local chambers of commerce to gather input on what employees and employers need in order to offer and access the leave.
Domestic and sexualized violence can be experienced by people of any gender, background or circumstance. We know that this type of violence affects the victim and everyone around them. These leave provisions provide victims with the time, flexibility and economic security to get the support they choose. Safe and supported employees make for healthier workplaces in our communities.
We recognize the startling rates of domestic and sexualized violence in the Yukon and we know this has to change. At the same time, we know that offering job-protected leave for victims of domestic and sexualized assault is the right thing to do so people have the time to heal and seek the services they choose for themselves.
-
The leave provides five days of paid leave and five days of unpaid leave that can be taken in increments. If required, up to 15 unpaid weeks can also be taken with employer’s consent. Paid short-term leave and unpaid long-term leave will be available after 90 days of employment. Unpaid short-term leave will be available immediately.
-
All 10 provinces, as well as the Northwest Territories have enacted some version of leave for domestic violence. Yukon joins the six jurisdictions that also provide leave for sexualized violence. The approaches vary in length of leave provided and whether it is paid or unpaid.
-
Rates of domestic violence in the Yukon are three times the national average. Rates of sexualized violence in the Yukon are also higher than the national average.
-
Canadian employers lose $77.9 million annually because of direct and indirect impacts of domestic violence.
Renée Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
867-334-9194
renee.francoeur@yukon.ca
Bonnie Venton Ross
Communications, Community Services
867-332-5513
bonnie.ventonross@yukon.ca