Extension of temporary layoff timeframe in Newfoundland ends on September 18, 2020

The government has decided to end the extended period of time for temporary layoffs. Under normal rules, the Labour Standards Act states that an employee who is temporarily laid off for longer than 13 weeks in a period of 20 consecutive weeks is considered to be permanently terminated. However, through the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, government allowed employers to place workers on temporary layoff for twenty-six weeks in a period of thirty-three consecutive weeks. This provision has been in place since March 18, 2020 but will end on September 18, 2020. Government feels that the economy has recovered to a point where it needs to be fair to workers by reverting to the pre-COVID-19 rules.