Effective 1 December 2022, final regulations require private employers to provide employees with 10 days of paid sick leave. The final regulations implement 2021 legislation amending the Canada Labour Code that was further amended in June 2022 [Canada Minister of Labour, News Release, 7 November 2022].
The legislation and implementing regulations affect nearly one million workers in Canada's federally regulated private sector. Under the legislation and regulations, covered employees can use paid sick leave for:
- medical appointments during work hours
- personal illness or injury
- quarantine of the employee
- organ or tissue donation
Paid sick leave is being implemented in stages. As of 31 December 2022, employees continuously employed for at least 30 days will have access to their first three days of paid sick leave. As of 1 February 2023, employees will acquire a fourth day and will continue to accumulate one day a month up to a maximum of 10 days per year. Employers will be able to request a medical certificate if an employee is absent for five or more days in a row.
Edward Kowalski, Esq., is Manager, Payroll Information Resources, for the American Payroll Association