Effective August 8, 2014, Massachusetts enacted An Act Relative to Domestic Violence (the “ARDV”). The ARDV requires employers with 50 or more employees to permit an employee to take up to 15 days of leave in any 12 month period if the employee or a family member is a victim of “abusive behavior” (generally defined as domestic violence and related issues) and needs the leave to seek medical attention, counseling, or legal intervention.
Employers covered by the law must notify employees of their rights under the statute, which can be done by including a policy in an employee handbook or by issuing a separate notice.