Give domestic violence victims time off, says MSP

Bosses should be legally required to give domestic abuse victims time off if they leave their partner.

SNP activists passed a motion saying the UK Government should either consider introducing such a law, or else hand the ability to do so to Holyrood.

It came after SNP MSP Gillian Martin said that an “abused person shouldn’t have to hope her managers will be understanding” when ending a relationship.

She told how New Zealand had introduced legislation requiring companies to give domestic abuse victims up to 10 days of leave from work, separate from annual holidays, if they leave their violent partner.

Parts of Canada also have similar protections, she added, before saying: “Our Scottish Parliament cannot at present implement this law.”

Ms Martin said: “UK employment law lets women down the most and as we all know, domestic abuse affects women significantly more than men.

“To further protect people who want a life free from fear it is time to devolve employment law to the Parliament of Scotland’s people and let this party help them again.

“It takes much more than guts to leave an abusive partner, it takes money and work security to make it possible to see it through.

“The barriers to leaving are many.

“Fear of losing your job or having your pay docked does not have to be in the mix.”