Workplace Protections

You must tell your employer ahead of time (in advance), if you need to take time off from work to deal with domestic violence against you or your family member. For example: You find out on a Tuesday that you have to go to court on Friday to testify against your abuser. You should tell your employer on Tuesday, or as soon as possible, that you will need Friday off.

Your employer might have rules about how many days in advance an employee has to give when requesting time off. The law says that you have to follow your employer’s rules unless there is an immediate danger to the health or safety of you or your family member that prevents you from doing so.¹

Note: It might be a good idea to ask your employer in writing for the time off to deal with domestic violence issues and to keep a copy of the letter. This way, if the employer denies you the time off, you have some proof that you asked for it in case you decide to bring legal action against the employer for violating the law.

¹ Fla. Stat. § 741.313(4)(a)