A credit union with ties to the Tri-Cities has adopted a policy that would grant up to 10 days of paid leave to employees dealing with domestic violence.
Community Savings Credit Union, which has a branch in Port Coquitlam, approved the new policy following a call by the BC Federation of Labour for the provincial government to legislate improved paid leave for workers dealing with the fallout from domestic violence or sexualized assault.
In a press release, the credit union said it decided not to wait for potential government legislation, and after negotiating with the union groups, said it would grant up to 15 weeks of unpaid leave on top of the 10 days of paid leave “if an employee submits a reasonable request.”
“This is simply the right thing to do,” said CEO and president of the credit union Mike Schilling in the press release. “No decent employer would refuse support to a friend and colleague who is working through such difficult circumstances.”
Schilling added that even though Community Savings Credit Union has worked with union groups to voluntarily adopt the policy, it still supports the BC Federation of Labour’s campaign to enshrine the rights in law.
“It is the only way to ensure all Canadians have this basic level of support when they need it most,” he said.
