ARTICLE · 09 JUNE 2021

Covid-19 Update: Ontario Extends Infectious Disease Emergency Leave

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The government of Ontario has passed a regulation under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 ("ESA") extending the Infectious Disease Emergency Leave ("IDEL").

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The government of Ontario has passed a regulation under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 ("ESA") extending the Infectious Disease Emergency Leave ("IDEL"). The IDEL regulation which was introduced on May 29, 2020 was originally set to apply to a temporary layoff or reduction in wages/hours from March 1, 2020 to September 4, 2020. The regulation was extended to January 2, 2021, then to July 3, 2021 and now again to September 25, 2021.

The regulation exempts layoffs or reduction in wages/hours from being deemed a termination of employment. Employers who temporarily lay off employees or reduce wages/hours due to COVID-19 have no obligation to provide ESA notice or severance pay.

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