Missouri employers should be aware of a new law that recently went into effect that ensures victims of domestic and sexual violence receive unpaid leave.
The Missouri legislature passed House Bill 432 by Rep. Hannah Kelly, a Republican from Mountain Grove.
The law, which applies to businesses with 20 or more employees, allows victims or family members to take unpaid leave as they seek medical attention for physical for psychological injuries, get help from victim services organizations, seek counseling and obtain legal assistance.
Companies with 50 or more employees must grant up to two work weeks of unpaid leave for these matters per year, while companies with 20-49 employees must grant up to one week of unpaid leave per year.
Employers are required to notify employees about this new law and it’s recommended that this change is added to employee handbooks.
The Missouri Department of Labor has issued a poster that employers can use to help notify their workers about this change. You can download the poster here. The deadline for compliance is Oct. 27, 2021.
