Have your say on B.C.’s permanent paid sick leave program
Posted August 5, 2021 12:09 pm.
Last Updated August 5, 2021 12:19 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – It’s your turn to have a say on permanent paid sick leave in B.C.
The province is working on creating a paid sick leave entitlement to protect workers who might be forced to go to work sick to avoid losing wages. Labour Minister Harry Bains calls it a “critical lesson” learned during the pandemic.
“But many workers, especially those in lower-paying jobs without benefits, simply can’t afford to lose wages by missing work due to illness or personal injury,” Bains said.
In May, about one year since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, B.C. implemented a program providing up to three days of paid sick leave, in an effort to support those affected by COVID-19. Under this legislation, workers are covered if they have symptoms of COVID-19, are self-isolating, and waiting for tests or results.
However, that policy is only in effect until the end of 2021.
Related article: B.C. to give all workers up to three days of paid sick leave until end of 2021
A new, permanent paid sick leave entitlement for B.C. is coming into effect Jan. 1, 2022, with public consultation on how that will look now underway.
Phase one kicked off Thursday, with surveys for both employers and staff. They’ll be asked about the kinds of paid sick and injury leave they currently get and whether they meet workers’ needs.
Those surveys will be open until Sept. 14.
From Sept. 20 to Oct. 25, British Columbians will be able to give their feedback on sick leave models, which would include numbers of paid days and other supports.
