Alberta’s Employment Standards Code Adds Compassionate Care Leave

Starting on February 1, 2014, Alberta's Employment Standards Code will require employers to provide compassionate care leave to employees. The new provisions will allow qualifying employees up to eight weeks of leave to provide care or support to a seriously ill family member if the employee is the primary caregiver. To qualify for compassionate care leave, employees will need to provide the employer with a certificate from a physician stating a family member has a significant risk of death within 26 weeks and requires the support of one or more family members. Employees must also have been employed by their employers for 52 consecutive weeks to receive this entitlement. Employees' jobs are protected while they are taking this leave.