Victims of Felony Crimes Leave

Although Florida does not impose a specific state mandate requiring employers to provide leave to victims of felony crimes, the Company, as a matter of policy, prohibits discrimination against and will grant reasonable unpaid leave to employees who are victims, or whose spouse, child, stepchild, sibling, stepsibling, parent, stepparent, or domestic partner is a victim, of a violent or serious felony or of felonious theft or embezzlement, when leave is needed to attend legal proceedings related to the crime. Florida Statutes Section 92.57 also prohibits an employer from discharging or disciplining an employee for honoring a subpoena to testify in a judicial proceeding.

Employees who are affected may elect to substitute accrued PTO or sick leave in lieu of unpaid time off. Exempt employees may be paid for time off when payment is required to comply with state and federal wage and hour laws.

When practical, affected employees must give the Company advance notice of their need for leave, together with a copy of the notice of the scheduled proceeding. When advance notice is not feasible, the employee must, within a reasonable time after the leave is taken, provide documentation of the legal proceeding from one of the following sources: (1) the court or government agency setting the hearing; (2) the office of the state attorney or prosecuting attorney; or (3) the victim or witness office advocating on behalf of the victim.