Family violence leave

Rights and responsibilities for family violence leave and short-term flexible working arrangements.

Family violence is also known as domestic violence. It means all forms of violence in family and intimate relationships. Family violence can be physical, sexual or psychological abuse.

Rights for employees

Employees affected by family violence have the right to:

It does not matter when the family violence took place. Employees still have these rights if they experienced family violence before they began working for their current employer or before the law changed on 1 April 2019.

Who can get family violence leave

Employees who have been affected by family violence can take paid family violence leave if:

  • they have six months’ current continuous employment with the same employer, or
  • they have worked for the employer for six months for:
    • an average of 10 hours per week, and
    • at least one hour in every week or 40 hours in every month.

Family violence leave rights and responsibilities

Employers must give at least 10 days of paid family violence leave each year to employees who qualify.

Short-term flexible working

Employees who are affected by family violence can ask for flexible working arrangements for up to 2 months.

Proof of family violence

If an employee takes family violence leave or asks for short-term flexible working arrangements, their employer can ask for proof.

Problems getting family violence rights

Employees can go to Employment New Zealand or the Human Rights Commission if they have problems getting their family violence rights.

Workplace policies and penalties

Employers should have policies that make a workplace supportive for employees affected by family violence. There are penalties for employers that break employment law.

Page last revised: 17 August 2021

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