Manitoba recently joined a number of other provinces in
implementing paid leave programs in response to the COVID-19
pandemic.
On May 7, 2021, Manitoba's Premier announced that the
province is launching a new Manitoba Pandemic Sick Leave program to
fill in the gaps between federal paid leave programming and
provincial employment standards for paid sick leave.
This program will provide eligible employers with up to $600 per
employee for up to five days of paid sick leave for reasons related
to COVID-19. The days of paid leave do not need to be taken
consecutively. Employees are entitled to take the leave for reasons
related to COVID-19, including testing, vaccinations and side
effects, self-isolation due to COVID-19 symptoms, or providing care
to a loved one who is in one of the previously-mentioned
circumstances.
