LEGAL LOWDOWN
NEWSLETTER #11 May 2014
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE This is a proposed Member’s Bill being supported by the Green Party women’s spokeswomen, Jan Logie. The purpose of the proposed law changes is to address an apparent gap in current legislation and to provide workplace protection for those who are subjected to domestic violence. The Bill would provide flexibility to victims in their working arrangements, protect victims from workplace discrimination and allow victims to claim up to 10 days leave due to domestic violence per year. Ultimately the Bill also proposes to reduce the massive costs incurred by New Zealand businesses each year due to the effects of employees suffering from domestic violence.
ALCOHOL & OTHER DRUG TREATMENT COURTS – AN EVALUATION
AOD Courts
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We take a look at the at the effect of the new Alcohol and other Drug Treatment Court.
Services We are you a services outline services edition.
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excited to bring number of new in 2014. We some of those in this months’
The proposed key law changes under the Bill are as follows: Changes to interpretations provided for in the Domestic Violence Act 2000. A right for employees, who are victims of domestic violence, to request a variation in their work arrangements under the Employment Relations Act 2000. Being a victim of domestic violence will be added to the prohibited grounds of discrimination under the Employment Relations Act 2000. Domestic violence will be added to the definition of hazard under the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992. The practical effect of this would be mean employers have to take all reasonable steps to ensure employees are not exposed to domestic violence at work.
Updates
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We provide a brief of this months’ news and update form the legal fraternity.
The Holidays Act 2003 will be amended to allow victims of domestic violence to request up to 10 days domestic violence leave. The Human Rights Act 1993 will be amended to add being a victim of domestic violence as a prohibited ground of discrimination.
We will endeavour to provide updates of the progress of the Bill in due course. For more information please see the New Zealand Parliament website: http://www.parliament.nz/ennz/pb/legislation/proposedbills/50HOH_MEMBILL298_1/domesticviolence-victims-protection-bill
Cover Photo Credit: http://muslimvillage.com/2011/09/22/14948/dru gs-alcohol-and-muslims/