B.C. amends COVID-19 job-protected leave for vaccination and persons with underlying conditions

The Employment Standards Regulation was amended to provide both part-time and full-time workers with time needed to travel and receive the vaccine or to take a dependent family member to receive the vaccine. While this leave is currently unpaid, government has stated they are exploring options to provide workers with paid leave while getting their vaccine. RCC will participate in consultations. COVID-19 related leave, previously restricted to employees and their child or certain dependent adults, is now expanded to provide unpaid job protected leave if employees need to care for other family members because of COVID-19.  While employers are not permitted to ask for medical notes or certificates, there is a provision in the regulation that: “[i]f requested by the employer, the employee must, as soon as practicable, provide to the employer reasonably sufficient proof that a circumstance described in subsection (2) applies to the employee.”

Another change to the regulation provides workers with underlying conditions, who are undergoing treatment, or who have contracted another illness that makes them more susceptible to COVID-19 the ability to take leave.