To view a quick summary of Interpersonal Violence Leave, please review the Employment Leaves Quick Reference - Interpersonal Violence and Public Health Emergency guide.
Interpersonal violence leave is a job-protected leave of up to 10 days in a period of 52 weeks for survivors of interpersonal or sexual violence to access supports or relocate to a new home. The 10 day leave can be taken as five employer paid days and five unpaid days. The leave can be broken down into days or hours as required. Only time spent away from work would be considered leave time.
Eligibility applies to an employee who is a victim of interpersonal or sexual violence or an employee who is a parent of a child who is a victim or an employee who is a caregiver of a victim of interpersonal or sexual violence and the employee requires time off work to:
- seek medical attention for a victim with respect to a physical or psychological injury or disability caused by interpersonal or sexual violence;
- obtain services from a victim services organization;
- obtain psychological or other professional counselling;
- relocate temporarily or permanently; or
- seek legal or law enforcement assistance, including preparing for or participating in any civil or criminal legal proceeding related to or resulting from the interpersonal or sexual violence.
Employees must have worked for an employer for a minimum of 13 weeks and will be required to provide evidence of the services being received if the employer requests it. This could be written confirmation from:
- a social worker;
- a member of the College of Psychologists;
- a duly qualified medical practitioner;
- a practicing member of the Saskatchewan Registered Nurses Association or the Registered Psychiatric Nurses Association of Saskatchewan;
- a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police or another police service; or
- another person approved by the employer who is employed by an agency or organization that provides emergency or transitional shelter or support for victims of interpersonal violence.
For more information refer to 12.4(4) of The Victims of Interpersonal Violence Act to learn more about the acts governing membership of those groups.
Employers are required to ensure personal information about employees accessing the leave is kept confidential.