The unprecedented circumstances around the COVID-19 pandemic
have many employers looking for answers to complex questions in a
hurry. As a service to our clients, here are some of the questions
we have been asked most often in recent days. If you need further
advice, please contact our
Employment & Human Rights Lawyers.
Can you "lay-off" employees?
The BC Employment Standards Act allows employers to temporarily
"lay-off" employees for up to 13 weeks in a 20-week
period. Please note however, that unless your Employment
Agreement allows for a "temporary lay-off", imposing a
lay-off could result in termination pay or severance claims.
In the current circumstances, if you are contemplating a lay-off, I
would recommend that you discuss this with your employee(s) and
advise them that your intention is to recall the employee(s) to
work as soon as possible, and that in the meantime you will make
arrangements for them to use up any accrued vacation days,
sick-days,
