BC Creates New Five Day Sick Leave Under Employment Standards Act (BC)

By: Brynna Hambly

Good news for B.C. employees!

In addition to a three-day COVID-19 sick leave implemented earlier this year (link to a detailed blog post by Brynna Hambly about that leave here), starting January 1, 2022, BC will become the first province in Canada to require employers to provide a minimum of five paid sick days. Link to the full announcement here.

This sick leave will apply to all workers covered by the Employment Standards Act (BC), which means the leave will not apply to all employees in BC but a large portion. Hopefully, the move will allow employees to feel secure enough in their positions to call in sick if they need to and will surely help prevent the spread of illness in the workplace!

If you have questions about whether your employment is covered by the Employment Standards Act (BC) or have questions about your statutory rights under that Act, call Brynna Hambly, Employment Lawyer at Kidston Helm Ross Lawyers LLP. Link to Brynna’s bio and to our website with her contact info here.