THURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2024
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Workplace Standards Changes due to COVID-19

The recent pandemic has led to many temporary laws being passed which provide assistance in this time of crisis, particularly regarding special leave for employees impacted by COVID-19.

These laws change rapidly as more information becomes available and public health officials make new recommendations, and are different in each jurisdiction. Please consult the appropriate government sources for up-to-date information on this issue.


Employment Standards
This summary is provided for comparison purposes. While the Institute of Professional Management endeavours to provide accurate information, you should consult your provincial labour ministry or legal counsel for the most up to date information.

Minimum Wage $15.65/hour
Hours of Work
& Overtime
Overtime after 8 hours/day or 40 hours/week, double pay after 12 hours in one day
Must have 32 consecutive hours free from work each week or pay time-and-a-half
2 hours call-in
Minimum 8 hours between shifts
30 minute lunch break after 5 hours
Paid for travel time if required to pick up another employee or supplies/equipment on the way to work, if group meets to travel together to a remote worksite, travel between 2 job sites, or if required to work out of town (eg attending a meeting out of town)
Must have 32 consecutive hours free from work in a week (between "Minimum 8 hours between shifts" and "30 minute lunch break after 5 hours")
Paid Statutory Holidays 10 Days
New Year's Day
Family Day
Good Friday
Victoria Day
Canada Day
BC Day
Labour Day
Thanksgiving Day
Remembrance Day
Christmas Day
Vacation 2 weeks after 1 year
3 weeks after 5 years
Compassionate Care Leave 3 days unpaid bereavement leave
5 days/year unpaid family responsibility leave
5 days paid plus 3 days unpaid sick leave
27 weeks unpaid compassionate care leave out of every 52 weeks
36 weeks unpaid critical illness leave to care for a child, 16 weeks unpaid to care for an adult
10 days/year (5 paid, 5 unpaid) domestic violence leave, plus up to an additional 15 weeks unpaid leave
52 weeks unpaid in case of crime-related disappearance of a child, 104 weeks in case of crime-related death of a child
Pregnancy &
Parental Leave
17 weeks unpaid maternity leave
61 weeks unpaid parental leave for birth mother if maternity leave is used
62 weeks unpaid parental leave for other parents, or for the birth mother if maternity leave is not used
Termination
of Employment
1 week after 30 days
2 weeks after 1 year
3 weeks after 3 years
one additional week per additional year up to 8 weeks after 8 years
Temporary Lay-Offs &
Group Terminations
Temporary lay-offs for no more than 13 out of every 20 weeks. All benefits are protected
Group terminations of 50 or more people at a single location within two months must give advance written notice to the employees, the Minister of Labour, and any trade union representing the employees, based on the number of employees terminated; 8 weeks for 50 or more, 12 weeks for 101 or more, or 16 weeks for 301 or more
COVID-19
Leave
Unpaid leave for as long as needed if they have been diagnosed or are in quarantine, or an employer directs them not to work, or if they need to provide care to a child or adult dependent because of closures, or if a travel ban prevents them from returning to work
3 hours paid leave to get vaccinated

Jurisdiction
Federal
Alberta
British Columbia
Manitoba
New Brunswick
Newfoundland
Nova Scotia
Nunavut
Northwest Territories
Ontario
Prince Edward Island
Quebec
Saskatchewan
Yukon
Comparison Chart