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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 $15.20/hour
Hours of Work
& Overtime
Overtime after 8 hours/day or 40 hours/week
Max 10 hours/day and 60 hours/week
Maximum 6 days/week
4 hours call-in
Employees receive a 30 minute break after 5 hours
Paid Statutory Holidays 10 days
New Year's Day
Good Friday
Victoria Day
National Indigenous Peoples Day
Canada Day
First Monday in August
Labour Day
Thanksgiving Day
Remembrance Day
Christmas Day
Vacation 2 weeks after 1 year
3 weeks after 6 years
Compassionate Care Leave 3 days unpaid bereavement leave, up to 7 days depending on location
5 days/year unpaid sick leave
27 weeks/year compassionate care leave
17 weeks unpaid to care for a critically ill adult, 37 weeks for a child
10 days (5 paid, 5 unpaid) domestic violence leave with no notice, plus an additional 15 weeks unpaid with notice
Pregnancy &
Parental Leave
Available after 12 months employment
17 weeks unpaid maternity leave
61 weeks unpaid parental leave, plus an additional 8 weeks for a second parent
Termination
of Employment
2 weeks after 90 days
3 weeks after 3 years
4 weeks after 4 years
5 weeks after 5 years
6 weeks after 6 years
7 weeks after 7 years
8 weeks after 8 years
Temporary Lay-Offs &
Group Terminations
Temporary lay-offs for 45 days in a period of 60 days
Terminations of 25 or more employees within 4 weeks must give advance notice to the employees and to the labour standards officer based on the number of employees terminated: 4 weeks for 25 or more employees, 8 weeks for 50 or more, 12 weeks for 100 or more, and 16 weeks for 300 or more
Where an emergency is a cause for inability to offer the full amount of leave, employers may apply for an exception.
COVID-19
Leave
The employee is entitled to as much leave as is necessary for as long as a state of emergency prevents them from completing their work. This includes when under medical investigation or treatment, in isolation or quarantine, when directed to remain at home by an employer, when providing care for a dependant, or when prevented by travel bans. It also includes self-isolation caused by essential travel
Special paid leave for relief workers who must self-isolate or become ill with Covid-19

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