40. Family and domestic violence leave

40.1. The University recognises that some of its staff may experience situations of violence and abuse in their domestic life, which may impact their attendance or performance at work.

40.2. In order to support a staff member experiencing family and domestic violence and provide a safe and supportive workplace, the University will favourably consider reasonable requests for family and domestic violence leave, variations in work arrangements including changes to hours, transfer to more suitable work where available, changes to telephone and email addresses, and other flexible working arrangements.

40.3. Where a staff member identifies as being subject to domestic violence, all related information will be kept confidential and access to this information will be restricted to University staff providing direct support and assistance.

    Definitions

    40.4.Domestic violence refers to violent, threatening or other abusive behaviour by a close relative, a current or former intimate partner, or a member of a staff member’s household that seeks to coerce or control the staff member, and causes them harm or fear.

    40.5. For the purpose of this leave, a close relative includes:

      1. a staff member’s spouse or former spouse, de facto partner or former de facto partner, child, parent, grandparent, grandchild or sibling; or
      2. a child, parent, grandparent, grandchild or sibling of an employee’s current or former spouse or de fact partner, or
      3. a person related to the staff member according to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander kinship rules.

      Entitlement

      40.6. All staff (including casual staff) are entitled to paid and unpaid family and domestic violence leave in accordance with this clause and the table below.

        Qualification

        Entitlement and accruals

        All staff (except casual staff)

        The amount of family and domestic violence leave granted will be determined by the staff member’s individual circumstances.

         

        The entitlement will be no less than provided under the National Employment Standards.

        Casual staff

        Paid and unpaid family and domestic violence leave is provided in accordance with the National Employment Standards (ten days’ paid leave and five days’ unpaid leave in a 12-month period).

         

        Casual staff will be paid at their full pay rate for the hours they were rostered to work in the period they took leave.

        Application for domestic violence leave

        40.7. A staff member may make a confidential application to the Chief People Officer to access paid domestic violence leave, and/or request the replacement of any other leave that was taken as a result of experiencing domestic violence.  No reasonable request will be refused.

           

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