The Northern Ireland Executive has finalised a policy response regarding a proposed employment entitlement designed to assist individuals affected by domestic abuse.
Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald revealed the operational details of this new right, which grants ten days of paid leave.
The guidance is intended to come into force in April 2027 as part of her Good Jobs agenda.
During the consultation period that concluded on 27 September 2024, the Department for the Economy received fifty-five submissions from stakeholders.
Under the proposed arrangements, domestic abuse will be defined broadly to encompass the full spectrum of behaviours identified during the review process.
This definition includes both single incidents and established patterns of conduct.
The leave year will generally align with how annual leave is calculated under the Working Time Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016.
Despite this alignment, the Safe Leave entitlement remains a distinct and separate right from standard holiday provisions.