Business owners seem to be down in the dumps. Workplace laws are swinging back in favour of staff, hikes to the minimum wage are pushing up labour costs and the seemingly rushed decision to stop oil and gas exploitation leaves many wondering if their industry will be next.
While these moves have the support of many Kiwis, businesses have legitimate concerns about the impact the changes could have on their bottom lines. But there's one policy complaint doing the rounds which should fall on deaf ears.
That's the grumbling over Green MP Jan Logie's domestic violence leave bill, which passed its final reading in Parliament last month and comes into force next April. The law allows victims to get an extra 10 days' paid leave, over-and-above their sick or annual leave entitlements.
The extra leave is to give victims time to deal with the extreme difficulty and stress of removing themselves from an abusive relationship without losing income or quitting a job. It gives them the chance to attend court hearings, find a place to live and take care of children without the pressure of juggling a shift at work.
Breaking free from abuse is expensive - Australian research last year put the total cost of fleeing a violent relationship at nearly $20,000. Giving victims extra leave entitlements is a way of easing that burden.
