Increases To Statutory Sick Days For Both BC And Federal Workers

BC provincially regulated employers will see an increase to the statutory minimum paid sick days starting January 1, and federally regulated private sector employees are expected to soon be entitled to a minimum of 10 days of paid medical leave per calendar year. These changes will increase the minimum statutory requirements. Employers may already be providing these paid leave periods, but if not will need to plan to do so.

Currently, employees in federally regulated industries which are subject to the Canada Labour Code are allowed a minimum of 5 days off work each calendar year (3 of which are paid days) for personal illness or injury. Once the changes are brought into force by the Federal Government, employees who have completed 30 days of continuous employment with their employer will be entitled to 3 days of paid medical leave, and then after 60 days of continuous employment, will be entitled to one day of paid medical leave at the beginning of each month for