Free guidance on your rights if domestic abuse is affecting your job — what your employer must and can do to help, flexible working, time off, and how to protect yourself at work.
↓ Try the Checker NowIf you are experiencing domestic abuse, you have the right to flexible working from day one, emergency time off as a dependant, and protection from dismissal if you need to take time off. Contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 (free, 24 hours).
Domestic abuse is a ground for priority housing in many local authority areas. Injunctions, Non-Molestation Orders and Occupation Orders are available through the family courts.
Key areas covered: domestic abuse rights, workplace protections, housing rights, injunctions, DVPO, helpline. Checked against official sources.
Non-molestation and occupation orders are civil protective measures in England and Wales under the Family Law Act 1996 — a non-molestation order prevents contact or harassment, while an occupation order can regulate who lives in the family home, and both can be applied for without needing a solicitor, though legal advice is strongly recommended. Our court orders checker explains your options.
Employers increasingly have a practical duty to support staff experiencing domestic abuse, including flexible working consideration and, in some cases, paid leave — worth raising directly with HR or a trusted manager if this affects your ability to work safely.
This checker gives you a plain English read on your specific situation, answered only from its own guide for your part of the UK, checked against official sources. No login needed, and your answer is generated instantly based on what you tell us.
Our guidance covers many common situations, but complex or high-stakes cases need professional advice. For employment issues, contact ACAS in England, Wales and Scotland (0300 123 1100) or the Labour Relations Agency in Northern Ireland (03300 555 300). For free general advice, contact Citizens Advice (England 0800 144 8848, Wales 0800 702 2020), Citizens Advice Scotland (0800 028 1456) or Advice NI (0800 915 4604). For urgent housing problems in England, Shelter can help on 0808 800 4444.
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Describe your workplace situation and we'll check your employment rights
If you are in immediate danger, call 999. For confidential support: National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (free, 24hrs). This tool covers your workplace rights only. For court orders, police protection and housing, use our domestic abuse protection and court orders checker.
Describe how domestic abuse is affecting your work situation. You do not need to share more than you are comfortable with — focus on what workplace rights or support you need to understand.
Free · Guidance only, not legal advice
Can I request flexible working because of domestic abuse?
Yes — this is a legitimate reason to request flexible working. In England, Wales and Scotland you can ask from your first day of employment (since 6 April 2024), and your employer must consult you before refusing. In Northern Ireland you need 26 weeks of service first.
What court protection orders are available?
Non-molestation orders prevent contact or harassment, while occupation orders can regulate who lives in the family home — both are civil measures in England and Wales under the Family Law Act 1996 and can be applied for without a solicitor, though legal advice is strongly recommended.
Is my employer required to support me if I disclose domestic abuse?
There's a growing practical and, in some cases, legal expectation that employers respond supportively — including flexible working consideration and, in some workplaces, paid leave — though specific entitlements vary by employer policy.
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The checker answers only from the guide for the nation you choose, plus what you tell it. If your question is not covered there, it says so instead of guessing. Each guide was checked against primary sources on 24 September 2026.
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Directed and published by Matt Thompson, founder of UK Work Rights. Guidance checked against GOV.UK, ACAS and legislation.gov.uk. This is general rights guidance, not legal advice.
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