Government of Canada Announces Final Regulations on Paid Sick Leave
Published November 08, 2022
The Government of Canada announced final regulations for federally regulated private sector workplaces to provide 10 days of paid sick leave for all employees effective December 1, 2022. This is a permanent change to the Canada Labour Code.
The final "Regulations Amending Certain Regulations Made Under the Canada Labour Code (Medical Leave with Pay)" outline essential elements of the new paid sick leave provisions. This includes the following:
- As of December 31, 2022, employees who have been continuously employed for at least 30 days will have access to their first three days of paid sick leave. As of February 1, 2023, employees will acquire a fourth day and will continue to accumulate one day a month up to a maximum of 10 days per year.
- Employers can request a medical certificate if an employee is absent for five days or more in a row.
- Employees on paid sick leave who are paid on a basis other than time, such as salespeople paid by commission, will be entitled to the regular rate of wages.
- All employees are entitled to paid sick leave, including part-time, casual and contract employees, as well as employees engaged in multi-employer employment. Employers will be allowed to administer paid sick leave on the basis of either a fiscal year or a calendar year.