New law designed to protect abuse victims

Press Release from PressRepublican.com

A new state law is designed to protect victims of domestic violence from discrimination in the workplace.

Gov. David Paterson signed a bill that makes it illegal for employers to discriminate against victims during hiring and other employment practices.

It means that employers cannot refuse to hire or fire a person based on their victim status.

It also means that victims cannot be discriminated against in compensation, or terms, conditions and privileges of employment.

According to a news release from Behavioral Health Services North, an abuser’s harassment and violence can intrude on a workplace and interfere, both directly and indirectly, with a victim’s ability to meet job expectations.

Domestic violence can also cause disruptions in child care, transportation and sleep patterns, which can affect a person’s concentration and performance at work.

Statistically, according to the Family Violence Prevention Fund, employees miss 175,000 days of work each year because of domestic violence.

Data show a $3 billion to $5 billion effect on employers through productivity and other losses and results in the firing of 30 percent of survivors.

Susan Kelley, director of Stop Domestic Violence in Clinton and Essex counties, said the “human-rights law takes a meaningful step toward eliminating one of the primary reasons survivors lose their employment.

“Financial independence is key to long-term safety for survivors and their children. This law will help support survivors in their efforts to gain independence from abusers.”