Ontario Workers Can Now Access Paid COVID-19 Sick Days

On April 29, 2021, Bill 284, COVID-19 Putting Workers First Act, 2021, was introduced in the Ontario legislature. The Bill, which gives Ontario workers three paid sick days for COVID-19-related reasons, was carried and received royal assent on the same day.

Here is what employers in Ontario need to know:

• An employee is entitled to three paid days if the employee will not be attending work or performing their duties because of any of the following reasons related to COVID-19:
  • The employee is under medical investigation, supervision or treatment (including receiving a vaccine for COVID-19 and recovery from associated side effects);
  • The employee is following a public health order;