B.C. seeks input on length of paid sick leave

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — B.C. is inching closer to making paid sick leave permanently available to all workers in the province, but first, it must decide how many days should be allowed.

Labour Minister Harry Bains says consultations are underway until Oct. 25, which will determine if the minimum should be set at three, five, or 10 days.

“It is about a little over a million workers who will benefit from this,” Bains says. “Employers and the workers both expressed their concerns during our first survey that workers were going to work sick or they were going to work before they were ready to go back to work.”

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Since May, workers who don’t already have sick pay covered by employers are allowed three days, but that temporary program expires Dec. 31. The province has been covering up to $200 a day for up to three days.

Changes promised earlier this year take effect Jan. 1.

“I think one thing is for sure, for the first time in the history of British Columbia, there will be a paid sick leave provision available to all workers starting Jan. 1 next year,” Bains claims, adding that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic proved the importance of this.

“It is going to be a win-win situation. It benefits the workers in a proactive way. So that the workers are able to stay home when they’re sick. And their workplaces are safer and productive.”

Bains admits it’s still unclear if employers should expect that support to continue in the new year. However, he says once more data is collected, an informed decision will be made.

British Columbains can take part in the survey until Oct. 25 on engage.gov.bc.ca.

“We need to hear from you so that we can make the decision based on what we heard from those who will be impacted by it,” Bains says.

B.C. is inching closer to making paid sick leave permanently available to all workers in the province, but first, it must decide how many days should be allowed. https://t.co/7YrjxyP0wW pic.twitter.com/sdyrFGQTW7

— CityNews 1130 Vancouver (Inactive) (@news1130) September 23, 2021

– With files from Claire Fenton