[vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1489792662097{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1489792637103{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1551285106665{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”][/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]South Ayrshire Council has become the first in Europe to give safe leave to employees suffering from domestic abuse.
Neighbour North Ayrshire may follow suit. South Ayrshire will offer up to ten days of paid leave to allow staff to seek help and support for both themselves and those affected.
The measure “will make a real and lasting difference that could help change lives forever,” the Scottish Herald newspaper quoted South Ayrshire councillor Peter Henderson as saying.
The council was inspired by New Zealand which last year became the second country to pass a domestic violence victims’ protection bill.
Following South Ayrshire’s decision, members of North Ayrshire Council voted in favour of officers investigating how a similar measure might be best managed, if it was wanted by staff, and the likely cost.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]