B.C. Paid Sick Leave Now in Effect & Industry FAQs
Effective January 1, 2022, employees are entitled to employer paid leave for personal illness and injury. This new, permanent paid sick leave entitlement will provide up to 5 paid days and 3 unpaid days of job-protected leave each year for eligible employees.
The BC Employment Standards website provides information for employees and employers regarding the application of the new paid sick leave entitlement, including eligibility criteria and how to calculate an “average day’s pay.”
To ensure clarity and that industry is prepared with updated policies and training, employers can review the following resources:
Paid Sick Leave Details Include:
Effective January 1, 2022, you are required to provide your eligible employees with up to five days of paid sick leave per year if they need to stay home because they are sick or injured.
The paid sick leave entitlement applies to all employees covered by the Employment Standards Act (ESA), including part-time, temporary or casual employees.
You need to pay your employees their regular wages for these days. They do not have to be taken consecutively.
Employees must have been employed for at least 90 days
Employers may ask for reasonable proof of sickness (e.g. a doctor’s note)
Employees are also entitled to 3 days of unpaid sick leave.