Paid Domestic Violence Leave

Paid Domestic Violence Leave
These changes will come into effect April 1, 2025

Two additional days of paid leave will be added to the existing three days of paid domestic violence leave.  Employees who experience domestic violence, or whose child (under 18) experiences domestic violence will be entitled to 16 continuous weeks plus 10 continuous or intermittent days of domestic violence leave, with up to five days of this leave paid.

To learn more about the domestic violence leave, including the current leave provisions, visit our website or contact Labour Standards.

For Employers

How can an employer ensure the workplace is ready to support employees experiencing domestic violence?

  • Create or revise a workplace policy to address the leave;
  • Provide training to managers and human resource teams on the impact of domestic violence and how to respond sensitively to an employee who takes a leave;
  • Maintain privacy and confidentiality;
  • Create a procedure for confidentially tracking the amount of domestic violence leave taken by an employee;
  • Develop a list of community supports and services which can be shared with employees;
  • Create safety plans and enable secondary exits, as required;
  • If applicable, work with union and/or joint occupational health and safety committee to support employees.

Where can victims of domestic violence access support?

If you have experienced or are experiencing domestic abuse, you are not alone: supports are available.

  • If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
  • If you are seeking help or are looking for information about abuse, you can call the 24-hour toll-free line: 1-855-225-0220.
  • To connect with community resources in Nova Scotia, call 211.
  • You can also get a copy of Making Changes, a resource for women experiencing abuse, MakingChanges_2022_July19_Digital_FINAL.pdf (novascotia.ca).

In Nova Scotia, there are many places that victims of violence can turn for support.

This includes: