Workers in British Columbia facing serious illness or injury can now take up to 27 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave within a 12-month period.
Amendments to the province’s Employment Standards Act took effect Nov. 28, providing expanded protections for workers unable to work for at least seven consecutive days due to serious medical conditions.
Employees must obtain a medical certificate from a doctor or nurse practitioner stating they cannot work due to medical reasons and specifying the dates leave is required.
Employers must grant eligible workers access to the unpaid, job-protected leave. The leave applies to workers covered under the Employment Standards Act.
The change brings British Columbia’s protections in line with standards in other Canadian jurisdictions, according to the province.
The leave complements financial supports available through the federal Employment Insurance Sickness Benefits program.
The Employment Standards Branch has released a resource guide outlining how the new leave works. The guide is designed to help employers update workplace policies and practices.
