Domestic and sexual violence sadly affects many people in B.C., including workers. Global News notes that women make up 87% of sexual violence victims and 2/3 of victims of domestic violence. Indigenous women and members of the LGBTQ2 community are at a particular risk. Not surprisingly, over 80% of workers who have experienced domestic violence express that it interferes with their work performance.

Recently, the B.C. government invited submissions on whether the Employment Standards Act should require employers to continue to pay their employee’s regular wage for any of the time off for domestic or sexual violence.

At our general meeting on September 16th, the BC Employment Standards Coalition developed a collective response that we sent to Minister of Labour Harry Bains & Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity Mitzi Dean. In short, we argue that the Employment Standards Act should most certainly contain a provision for paid domestic or sexual violence leave as part of the much-needed modernization of the Act. You can read our full response here.

In addition, please read the BC Government and Service Employees’ Union response here.