Dear Atty. Maan,

My sister recently got out of an abusive relationship and is still undergoing treatment for all the physical and emotional trauma it caused.

Since she has already used up all her entitled leaves from her company, she inquired if she could make use of the 10-day VAWC (Violence Against Women and Children) leave provided under Republic Act 9262.

However, her employer denied her request. Is her employer's denial correct, Atty.?

Abby

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Dear Abby,

Female employees in both the private and public sectors who are victims or victim-survivors of violence or abuse as defined under Republic Act 9262, or the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act, are entitled to a leave of absence with full pay for a period of up to 10 days.

Section 43 of RA 9262 provides:

Entitled to Leave. — Victims under this Act shall be entitled to take a paid leave of absence up to 10 days in addition to other paid leaves under the Labor Code and Civil  Service Rules and Regulations, extendible when the necessity arises as specified in the protection order.

Any employer who shall prejudice the right of the person under this section shall be penalized in accordance with the provisions of the Labor Code and Civil Service Rules and Regulations.

Likewise, an employer who shall prejudice any person for assisting a co-employee who is a victim under this Act shall likewise be liable for discrimination." (Section 43 (a), RA 9262)

As such, Employers may be held liable for discrimination and for violation of RA 9262 if the employer/head of office prejudices the right or denies the application for leave by his/heremployee who is a victim-survivor under the VAWC law or (2) any person for assisting a co-employee who is a victim under the VAWC law.