We’ve got changes to the Employment Standards Act here, all of which are focused on giving paid sick leave to workers.
Employment Standards Act
The first bit gives everyone 10 paid days total for personal illness, illness/death of a family member, or an urgent matter involving a family member. There’s a pretty long list of what’s considered a family member, including “a person who considers the employee to be like a family member”. In order to get these days you have to have been employed for at least a week, and after that point any unpaid days you’ve already taken that day count against the 10 days you get. Your employer can decide that you’re taking a full day even if it’s only a half day, and you’ll only ever get your base pay, no overtime if you’re missing an overtime shift and no holiday pay if you were working on a holiday. Employers can require reasonable evidence that you needed the leave, but are not allowed to ask for a doctor’s note.
Bill 4 also requires the Province to set up temporary financial support to help employers adjust to the new requirements. I don’t see anything here about how long they’re required to provide that support, but they’re only allowed to use funds specifically designated for it.
Finally in the event of a declared emergency such as a pandemic workers get another 14 days of paid leave.
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