A national domestic abuse charity says small businesses need to get ready for domestic violence leave coming into effect in a couple of months.

From the 1st of April, employees will be entitled to two weeks domestic violence leave a year.

Shine, which is a domestic abuse charity, say they are complex issues and bosses need to get their heads around them.

Holly Carrington is Shine's policy adviser and told Larry Williams businesses around the country are starting to take action.

"More and more employers are beginning to understand this is an issue which needs to be looked at. The reality is there are a lot of employees who are not telling their bosses what is happening.

"So what the employer might see is an unproductive worker who is always late to work and they may not know why that is happening. If employers know what is going on, they might be able to help them."

Shine’s DVFREE Guidelines on Policy and Procedures are now free for download through its DVFREE website at www.dvfree.org.nz.  Shine is a leading specialist family violence service provider. Shine’s tollfree, national Helpline is 0508-744-633, operating seven days a week, year-round. www.2shine.org.nz

LISTEN TO TO THE AUDIO ABOVE AS HOLLY CARRINGTON SPEAKS TO LARRY WILLIAMS