BC lengthens temporary layoff period for COVID-19 related reasons, offers flexibility to businesses and employees
June 25, 2020Following urging from RCC, the government has extended the temporary layoff period to a maximum of 24 weeks for COVID-19 related reasons, expiring on August 30, 2020.
This is a further extension of a previous amendment that lengthened the layoff period from 13 to 16 weeks. Layoffs longer than 16 weeks were previously considered permanent, triggering the need for an employer to provide employees with written notice of termination and/or severance pay.
This extension will allow businesses undergoing financial hardship to stay connected with employees during this crisis and allow employers to quickly resume operations.
