Job-Protected Leave Related to COVID-19 for B.C. Workers, including Vaccine

 
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The B.C. Government has made regulatory improvements under the Employment Standards Act to bring in job-protected leave for workers needing time off to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Full- and part-time workers can take time off to receive the vaccine, or take a dependent family member. The government is also exploring options to provide workers with paid leave while getting their vaccine.

Employees can take unpaid, job-protected leave related to COVID-19 if they are unable to work for any of the following reasons:

  1. Receiving the COVID-19 vaccine

  2. Assisting a dependent being vaccinated against COVID-19

  3. Diagnosed with COVID-19 and following the instructions of a medical health officer or the advice of a doctor or nurse

  4. In isolation or quarantine and are acting in accordance with an order of the provincial health officer, an order made under the Quarantine Act (Canada), guidelines from the BC Centre for Disease Control or guidelines from the Public Health Agency of Canada

  5. Employer has directed you not to work due to concern about your exposure to others

  6. Need to provide care to an eligible person for a reason related to COVID-19, including a school, daycare or similar facility closure

  7. Outside of BC and unable to return to work due to travel or border restrictions

  8. More susceptible to COVID-19 in the opinion of a medical professional because of an underlying health condition, ongoing treatment or other illness and are receiving Canada recovery sickness benefits for the leave

For more information on Job-protected leave for workers to get COVID-19 vaccine, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021LBR0016-000615

For more information on Employer responsibilities regarding leave, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/employment-standards-advice/employment-standards/time-off/leaves-of-absence#employers

For more information on B.C.’s employment standards, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/employment-standards-advice/employment-standards

 
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