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Victims of Domestic Violence

An overview of Paid Leave for Victims of Domestic Violence.

Energy Locals with language#

Local Unit Company
707-A 10 SUNCOR ENERGY INC. (OIL SANDS PLANT)
999 4 ENBRIDGE GAS INC. - STO
975 2 ENBRIDGE GAS INC.

Government minimum regulations#

Federal#

  • Leave provided federally regulated industries:

  • Paid and unpaid leave

  • Leave for victims of family violence (the first 5 days of leave are paid when you have 3 consecutive months of continuous employment with the same employer)

  • Medical leave with pay (up to 10 days of medical leave with pay per year)
  • As an employee, you are entitled to up to 10 days of leave per calendar year if you are:
  • victim of family violence, or
  • the parent of a child who is a victim of family violence
  • If your salary varies from one day to another or you receive pay on a basis other than an hourly rate, you must receive the average of your daily earnings, exclusive of overtime hours, for the 20 days you have worked immediately before the first day of leave.

Alberta#

  • Alberta Domestic Violence Leave
  • Eligible employees can take up to 10 days of unpaid, job-protected leave due to the effects of violence in the home.
  • Any leave days not used by an employee cannot be carried over into a new calendar year.

Example Language#

Model Language#

The Company agrees to recognize that women sometimes face situations of violence or abuse in their personal life that may affect their attendance or performance at work. For that reason, the Company and the Union agree, when there is adequate verification from a recognized professional (i.e. doctor, lawyer, counsellor, shelter worker), a woman who is in an abusive or violent situation will not be subjected to discipline if work performance or absence can be linked to the abusive or violent situation.

Absences which are not covered by sick leave or disability insurance will be granted as an absence with permission with pay.

Moment of Silence - December 6th#

National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

  • The Company agrees to allow employees one (1) minute of silence at 14:00 on December 6th of each year in observation of the women killed in the Montreal Massacre.

Local 790/38/795 and Enbridge Gas Inc.#

21.07 Domestic Violence Leave

Enbridge Gas Inc. and Unifor recognize that violence, or the threat of violence, resulting from a domestic dispute can impact the health and safety of employees. To minimize this risk, and to ensure the safety of yourself and others, Enbridge Gas Inc. has established procedures for the safe reporting and management of such situations.

  1. If you are at risk of domestic violence and feel unsafe at work, seek assistance by advising either your manager, Employee Relations or your Health and Safety Representative.

  2. The employer will approve reasonable requests for accommodation from the employee experiencing domestic and or family violence which may include but not limited to the following;

  3. Changes to their working hours, shift patterns, duties or reduced work load;

  4. Accommodating the employee in another Job or department (or location);

  5. A change to their telephone number and email address.

  6. Safety planning at work, i.e. escort to their vehicle, parking close to main entrance, restricting access of the alleged perpetrator etc.

  7. Counselling and referral to appropriate support services for the employee.

  8. Leave under Article 20.04 [Office] & Article 25.04 [Operations] of the Collective Agreement up to six (6) months without loss of Seniority.

  9. Developing contingency plans in the event that the victimized employee does not report for work as expected.

Eligible

To qualify for this leave, an employee must take the leave to:

  1. seek medical attention in respect of physical or psychological injuries sustained as a result of the domestic violence;
  2. obtain victim services;
  3. obtain counselling;
  4. relocate (temporarily or permanently)
  5. seek legal or law enforcement assistance; or
  6. obtain any of the above for their eligible child(ren)

Enbridge Gas Inc acknowledges that the employee may not be able to request this time off with much notice and shall approve absences as consecutive days, single days or as a fraction of a day

Other

  1. Employees may qualify for paid leave under the Short Term Disability program if the absence is supported by required medical documentation.

  2. The Parties recognize that domestic and or family violence situations are highly sensitive and will only disclose information on a “need to know” basis. To that end, the Employer may require proof that is reasonable in the circumstances but said proof may be furnished by a broad range of individuals including, but not limited to, doctors, lawyers, registered counsellors, spiritual leaders, etc.

  3. The Employer will not tolerate discrimination or retaliation against any Employee on the basis of their disclosure, experienced or perceived experience of domestic and or family violence.

  4. In cases of Domestic violence the Employer shall ensure that appropriate measures are put in place, as required under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, to protect workers from domestic violence situations in the workplace.

  5. The Company and the Union will ensure that no disciplinary action is taken if the employee’s performance or attendance at work suffers as a result of experiencing domestic and or family violence.