Florida Allows Leave in Domestic Violence Cases

Victims of domestic violence can take up to three days’ leave from work under legislation that went into effect July 1 in Florida.

The legislation permits employees to take the leave in any 12-month period in order to take action in response to becoming a domestic violence victim, such as obtaining an injunction for protection or obtaining medical care or mental health counseling.

The law applies to employers with 50 or more employees and to employees who have been at the job three or more months.

Before receiving the leave, the employee must first exhaust all annual or vacation, personal and sick leave unless the employer waives the requirement, the law says. The leave may be with or without pay, at the employer’s discretion.

Except in cases of imminent danger, the employee must provide the employer with “appropriate” advance notice and sufficient documentation of domestic violence, according to the law.

The law also prohibits employers from discriminating against employees for exercising their rights under the law.

Filed by Judy Greenwald of Business Insurance, a sister publication of Workforce Management. To comment, e-mail editors@workforce.com.