Illinois Victims’ Economic Security and Safety Act

The Illinois Victims’ Economic Security and Safety Act (VESSA) allows employees to take unpaid leave to handle domestic or sexual violence issues. The law covers employees who are victims of domestic or sexual violence, or whose family members or household members are victims of domestic or sexual violence. A new amendment to this law applies to household employers.

Currently, employers with 15 to 49 employees must provide up to eight weeks of unpaid leave, unless it can be shown that such as accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the employer. For employers who have 50 or more employees, Illinois guarantees 12 weeks of unpaid leave to employees who are the victims of domestic or sexual violence or who have a family member who is a victim.

Effective January 1, 2017, however, employees who work for an employer with 14 employees or less – including household employers – will be allowed to take four workweeks of unpaid leave per 12-month period to address domestic or sexual violence issues.

Household employers in Illinois need to be aware of this new amendment and make accommodations for their employees as necessary.

To learn more about how GTM keeps families compliant with household employment laws, contact us at (800) 929-9213.