Domestic Violence

Updated 2/28/13

Purpose

The Domestic Violence Leave was signed into law in 2007. The purpose of this policy is to set forth guidelines and procedures to be followed in complying with Domestic Violence Leave.

The law applies to Florida employers who employ 50 or more employees, such as Eckerd College, to provide up to three (3) days of paid or unpaid leave.

Employee Eligibility

1. Employees must be employed by the College for at least three (3) consecutive months and have met the terms of probation.
2. Victim of domestic violence must be the employee or a family or household member of the employee.
3. The purpose of leave must be for one of the following reasons:
   1. Seek an injunction for protection against domestic violence or repeat violence, dating violence, or sexual violence;
   2. Obtain medical care or mental health counseling or both for the employee or a family or household member to address injuries resulting from domestic violence;
   3. Obtain services from victims services organizations such as a domestic violence shelter or rape crisis center;
   4. Make the employee's home secure from the perpetrator of domestic violence or find a new home to escape the perpetrator;
   5. Seek legal assistance to address issues arising from domestic violence;
   6. Attending or prepare for court related proceedings arising from the act of domestic violence.

Notice of Leave

A request for Domestic Violence Leave should be requested in advance with Human Resources, when the leave is anticipated.

Maintaining Pay Status

Leave under the law is unpaid, unless the employee has accrued paid leave, such as sick, vacation, and personal days.

Employer Responsibilities

The College must keep all information relating to the leave confidential. This documentation will be maintained in the Human Resources Office and kept separate from the employee's official personnel file.

Under no circumstances may the College take any disciplinary action against the employee related to the use of the Domestic Violence Leave