WOMEN who suffer domestic violence should be allowed compassionate leave from work, according to the equality officer of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions.
Ms Rosaleen Glackin said yesterday the ICTU is to consult members about negotiating with employers for this right.
"We would be trying to reach an agreement with employers to give the necessary time off to deal with a situation. Some employers already do provide leave for family issues, like divorce."
She was speaking at the launch of a joint campaign with Women's Aid to educate and train trade union officials to deal with victims of domestic violence.
Women's Aid chairwoman Ms Roisin McDermott said people, who applied for barring orders may have to wait up to two months, during which time they may be living in a refuge and have difficulty working. A woman could go on benefit during that time but there would be no guarantee that she would get her job back, Ms McDermott said.
"Economic dependence and nowhere to go were the two factors cited by women as to why they don't leave," she said.
The ICTU is contacting all union equality officers to offer training, "so they can be supportive to women," Ms Glackin said. "A lot of work has been done within workplaces on the whole area of alcoholism."
Most women hide their bruises from workmates, Ms McDermott said. "Rather than go in, they will go absent. The results of domestic violence are absenteeism, isolation and depression."
The campaign - Violence at Home, Support at Work - should be seen as a mainstream union activity, according to ICTU general secretary, Mr Peter Cassells. "It is a question of support for women who are brave enough to come forward and try and have the situation dealt with."
