SOUTH Ayrshire Council are giving employees who have suffered from domestic abuse additional time off as part of a new ‘safe leave’ policy.

Council workers will now receive up to 10 days paid leave if they have experienced these problems. Approval of the policy follows a motion from Councillors Laura Brennan-Whitefield and Brian McGinley, which was unanimously supported by all 28 councillors in December last year.

The leave will support employees to attend appointments and counselling; legal proceedings; and seek safe housing.

Councillor Peter Henderson said: “Across South Ayrshire, we’re committed to supporting the most vulnerable people in our communities and working with our partners to raise awareness of domestic abuse and violence.

“Giving abused employees access to up to 10 days’ safe leave, where they can take the time off they need to access help and support without the worry of it affecting their finances or using up their annual leave, will make a real and lasting difference that could help change lives forever.

“Domestic abuse will never be tolerated in South Ayrshire but, sadly, we know it happens, and we want to ensure that – when it affects our employees – we do all we can to support them.

“The safe leave policy does just that.”