Amendments To The Act Respecting Labour Standards

On June 12, 2018, Bill 176: An Act to amend the Act respecting labour standards and other legislative provisions mainly to facilitate family-work balance (the "Act") was enacted. While most of the amendments immediately entered into effect, some of the amendments will only apply as of January 1, 2019.

Below is an overview of some of the most significant changes which came into effect on June 12, 2018:

• An increase in the number of weeks of absence authorized in certain situations. Specifically, an employee may now be absent from work for up to:
  
  
  • 27 weeks over a period of 12 months due to a relative's serious and potentially mortal illness;
  • 36 weeks over a period of 12 months due to a minor child's serious illness or accident;