There are about 500,000 victims of domestic violence in New Zealand, which ranks as one of the country’s biggest social problems. New Zealand also is notorious for the highest rate of such violence against women among its developed world counterparts.
Half of workplaces are impacted by this violence, resulting in an annual cost of more than US$245.2 million. The new law, which took effect April 1, will mandate employers to support their workers and strives to boost legal protections for victims that includes paid domestic violence leave and providing more flexible work schedules.