Additional 8-week leave would protect jobs for family caregivers
The Ontario government is proposing to expand protected leave from work by allowing caregivers to spend more time with family members who cannot care for themselves because of serious injury or illness, including cancer or stroke.
“When a loved one is sick or hurt, the last thing on your mind is work. We understand the need to be there for a loved one when they need care and support. That's why we want to do what we can to help Ontarians get the time they need so they can focus on what matters most — our families," said Premier Dalton McGuinty.
Currently, Ontarians are entitled to an eight-week unpaid leave of absence to take care of loved ones who are terminally ill. The new Family Caregiver Leave would build on the existing Family Medical Leave so that whether a young child spends time in the hospital or an elderly parent suffers a broken hip, family members would be granted extended time to care for and support their loved ones.
The proposed amendment to Ontario's Employment Standards Act would give working Ontarians up to eight weeks of unpaid time away from work.
