3 Hour Paid Leave For Alberta Employees Obtaining COVID-19 Vaccinations

The Government of Alberta amended the Employment Standards Code, to allow employees to access paid, job-protected time off in order to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Bill 71: Employment Standards (COVID-19 Vaccination Leave) Amendment Act, 2021passed first reading in the legislature Wednesday evening. The amendments took effect immediately.

This paid leave is a stark departure from the other job-protected leaves under the Employment Standards Code, which are unpaid (noting the obligation to pay for time off to vote is legislated by the Elections Act).

The amendments provide for the following:

• employees will be permitted to take up to 3 hours paid leave per dose of the vaccine;