The Ontario Superior Court recently released an endorsement in
Taylor v. Hanley Hospitality, 2021 ONSC 3135, which dealt
with O. Reg. 228/20 Infectious Disease Emergency Leave
("IDEL"). The Regulation was enacted as
a temporary measure by the Ontario government on May 29, 2020 in
light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and deems temporary layoffs
relating to COVID-19 to be IDELs, retroactive to March 1, 2020 and
prospective until September 25, 2021. This decision provided much
needed guidance on how constructive dismissals are impacted by
IDEL.
What is IDEL?
IDEL is an unpaid, job protected leave of absence under the
Ontario Employment Standards Act, 2000
("ESA"), which may be taken for
specified reasons related to a designated infectious disease.
COVID-19 is currently the only disease for which IDEL may be taken
at this time. My colleague, Andrea M. Marsland, previously wrote
about IDEL
here.