Domestic Abuse and Work in Northern Ireland

Who this guide is for

People working in Northern Ireland who are experiencing domestic abuse and need time off, changes to their work, or support from their employer.

What this guide does not cover

• People working in England, Wales or Scotland: see the Great Britain guide.
• Court orders to protect you from the abuser: see our domestic abuse court orders guide.
• Making a flexible working request in detail, and a refused request: see our flexible working guide.
• Sick pay, dismissal and your other rights at work: see our employee rights guide.
• Whether time off for dependants is paid, and how much you can take. Ask the LRA.
• Somewhere safe to stay, refuges and homelessness help. Ask the helpline.

What the rules depend on

1. Are you in danger now? Yes: call 999 first.
2. Where do you work? Northern Ireland: this guide. England, Wales or Scotland: the Great Britain guide.
3. Are you an employee? Time off for dependants and a statutory flexible working request are employee rights. If you are not sure, see our employee rights guide.
4. How long have you worked there? 26 weeks or more: you can make a statutory flexible working request. Less: you can still ask, but there is no statutory right.
5. What does your contract or workplace policy say? It may give you domestic abuse leave, special leave or paid time off that the law does not yet give.

"Can I take paid safe leave?"

Not yet. The Domestic Abuse (Safe Leave) Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 requires the Department for the Economy to make regulations giving paid safe leave to employees who are victims of domestic abuse. It is not in force yet: the regulations that bring it in have not been made. On 8 July 2026 the Economy Minister said they will be made before the end of the current Assembly mandate.

When it starts, the Act says safe leave is for dealing with issues related to the abuse, including legal advice and legal proceedings, finding somewhere else to live, healthcare (including mental health care), welfare support and protecting family members. Check nidirect or ask the LRA whether it has started.

Until then, ask your employer: your contract or a workplace policy may give you paid or unpaid leave. You can also ask to use paid holiday.

"I need to change my hours or where I work"

With 26 weeks' service or more you can make a statutory flexible working request. Employees with less than 26 weeks' service do not have the statutory right, but can still ask. For how to ask and what to do if you are refused, see our flexible working guide.

"Something has happened to my child or someone who depends on me"

Employees have a right to time off for dependants in an emergency. It is not for your own appointments or your own court hearing. For how much time and whether it is paid, ask the LRA.

"I've been dismissed or treated badly"

See our employee rights guide. Most tribunal claims have a strict time limit, and you must tell the LRA first.

Deadlines you must meet

• Most claims: 3 months less 1 day, including unfair dismissal and discrimination.
• Early conciliation: tell the LRA within your time limit.
• Your exact date depends on your facts: see our tribunal deadline guide.

Money figures

• Whether time off is paid depends on your contract or your employer's policy until safe leave starts.

Traps

• Safe leave is law on paper but not in force yet. Do not rely on it until the regulations start.
• The Great Britain right to ask for flexible working from day one does not apply here: you need 26 weeks' service.
• Time off for dependants is for an emergency involving a dependant, not for your own court hearing or appointments.
• Early conciliation in Northern Ireland is with the LRA, not Acas.