Workers entitled to three hours off to receive inoculation
Saskatchewan is providing workers with time off to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
The province has amended the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020 to give employees paid time off especially for that purpose, effective March 18, 2021.
"We want to ensure that everyone in the province gets vaccinated," says Don Morgan, minister of labour relations and workplace safety. "The amendment today ensures workers also have paid time off during the work hours to receive the COVID-19 vaccine."
In January, an Ontario union said health-care workers in the province were not provided with clear direction about having time off to get vaccinated during work hours.
Under Saskatchewan’s Special Vaccination Leave, workers are entitled to three consecutive hours’ leave during work hours to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Workers are also entitled to more than three consecutive hours if the employer feels “the circumstances warrant a longer break from work”.
Workers will not be losing pay or other benefits while receiving the vaccination.
Almost half (47 per cent) of American workers believe employers should require employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19, according to a survey by Perceptyx.
However, another 43 per cent said they would consider leaving their organization if taking the vaccine was a requirement.
