As of May 20, 2021, amendments to BC's Employment Standards Act are in effect which provides paid sick leave for work absenses related to COVID-19 and introduces paid sick leave for any illnesses or injuries beginning on January 1, 2022.
COVID-19 RELATED PAID SICK LEAVE: MAY 20, 2021 - DECEMBER 31, 2021
Those eligible include both part-time and full-time employees who:
- have been diagnosed with COVID-19
- are awaiting results of their COVID-19 tests
- are quarantining or self-isolating as per instructions by public health authorities
- are being directed to stay home by their employers due to concerns of exposure
- are following public health orders
This paid leave is in addition to any unpaid sick days that are already available to workers under the Employment Standards Act.
Employers are required to pay full wages for the duration of the leave up to three days. For part-time workers, wages to be paid per day of absense will be calculated by the amount paid to the worker in the 30 days prior to the leave divided by the number of days worked in those 30 days.
Employers without a paid sick leave benefits plan will be reimbursed up to $200 a day per eligible worker by the BC government by WorkSafeBC. WorkSafeBC premiums and the accident fund will not be affected by this program.
More details of the reimbursement program will be available in June.
PAID SICK LEAVE FOR ANY ILLNESS OR INJURY: JANUARY 1, 2022
Beginning on January 1, 2022, paid sick leave will be available to employees who must miss work for any illness or injury (after 90 days of consecutive employment). The maximum amount of paid sick days will be determined through consultations with relevant stakeholders over several months.
Your CapriCMW Benefits team is here to help with short and long-term strategies around the structure of your employee benefits and retirement programs.