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Legal Information: District of Columbia

Workplace Protections

Updated: 
April 5, 2024

Can I take paid time off of work to deal with matters related to domestic violence, stalking, or sexual abuse?

You can use your paid leave to:

  • get yourself medical help or get your family member medical help to recover from a physical or psychological injury or disability caused by domestic violence,stalking, or sexual abuse;
  • get services from a victim services organization;
  • get psychological or other counseling;
  • temporarily or permanently move;
  • take legal action, which includes getting ready for or participating in any civil or criminal legal case related to or resulting from the domestic violence, stalking, or sexual abuse; or
  • take other actions to increase your or your family members’ physical, psychological, or economic health or safety or to increase the safety of the people who interact (associate) with you or work with you.1

1 D.C. Code § 32–531.02(b)(4)(A)-(F)

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