Circular 16/2023: Civil Service Domestic Violence and Abuse Policy & Supports

The purpose of this policy is to set out the leave and support arrangements for civil servants whose working lives are negatively impacted by domestic violence and abuse.

The Civil Service is committed to developing strong mechanisms to support employee health, wellbeing and resilience in a safe and secure working environment and to creating a workplace culture which does not tolerate domestic violence and abuse (DVA) or the attitudes which underpin it.

The Civil Service recognises the increasing prevalence and impact of DVA in wider society and the negative impacts it can have on the morale, performance and working life of staff who are directly affected and as well as on their colleagues in the workplace. This policy affirms the Civil Service’s commitment to supporting staff and colleagues impacted by DVA by creating awareness and providing workplace supports, including statutory domestic violence leave and direction to the appropriate services. This will be achieved by promoting a safe and inclusive work environment where those impacted by DVA feel comfortable to speak about the issue and can be directed towards appropriate supports.

• Microsoft Word versions are available in the 'Supporting documents and digital information pack' section.

Domestic violence leave can be availed of for up to a maximum of 5 days in any period of 12 consecutive months and can be taken as individual days or a block/blocks of days. An absence for part of a day is counted as one day for the purposes of domestic violence leave.

The purpose of the leave is to enable the individual who is a victim of domestic violence/abuse or who is assisting a relevant person to do any of the following:

• seek medical attention
• obtain services from a victim services organisation
• obtain psychological or other professional counselling
• relocate residence temporarily or permanently
• obtain an order from a court under the Domestic Violence Act 2018
• seek advice or assistance from a legal practitioner
• seek assistance from the Garda Siochána

There is no minimum service requirement to avail of this leave.

This leave can be availed of by an officer or an officer who is supporting a ‘relevant person’ who has experienced in the past, or is currently experiencing, domestic violence. A relevant person includes:

• the spouse or civil partner of the employee
• the cohabitant of the employee
• a person with whom the employee is in an intimate relationship
• a child of the employee who has not attained full age
• a person who, in relation to the employee, is a dependent person

Information in relation to Domestic Violence Leave and ‘How to Apply’ can be found on the National Shared Services Office (NSSO) website.

• Domestic violence and abuse - Information resource
• Male Advice Line: Poster and leaflet
• 10 common signs of domestic abuse
• Employer response to domestic violence - training package
• National freephone helpline poster

• http://www.cseas.per.gov.ie/domestic-violence/