Employment secured for up to eight weeks for workers caring for a dying relative
Workers in British Columbia will no longer have to choose between job security and taking care of a terminally ill relative once amendments to the Employment Standards Act take effect.
The new legislation will give an employee who requests time away from their job up to eight weeks of unpaid leave to care for an immediate family member who is at risk of death within 26 weeks.
"This benefit will allow caregivers to spend time away from work without fear of losing their jobs," said B.C. Labour and Citizens' Services Minster Michael de Jong.
Two years ago, the federal government amended legislation allowing employees to take compassionate care leave and provide eligible workers with Employment Insurance benefits and job protection for federally-regulated employees. The changes to B.C.'s Employment Standards Act extends this job protection to employees in provincially-regulated employment as well.
Most other provinces offer similar benefits. Saskatchewan and Quebec offer up to 12 weeks leave, while Alberta and the Northwest Territories do not provide any compassionate care leave protection.
The new legislation will give an employee who requests time away from their job up to eight weeks of unpaid leave to care for an immediate family member who is at risk of death within 26 weeks.
"This benefit will allow caregivers to spend time away from work without fear of losing their jobs," said B.C. Labour and Citizens' Services Minster Michael de Jong.
Two years ago, the federal government amended legislation allowing employees to take compassionate care leave and provide eligible workers with Employment Insurance benefits and job protection for federally-regulated employees. The changes to B.C.'s Employment Standards Act extends this job protection to employees in provincially-regulated employment as well.
Most other provinces offer similar benefits. Saskatchewan and Quebec offer up to 12 weeks leave, while Alberta and the Northwest Territories do not provide any compassionate care leave protection.
