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The Canadian Labour Standards offers a variety of leaves for federally regulated workers. If the leave is based on one of these specific categories, an employer cannot take negative action against an employee because of the leave or during their absence. This includes terminations, layoffs, demotions or any type of discipline. Here are the categories of leave and what they mean for employees and employers.

  • Sick leave. Employees are given protected sick leave for up to 17 weeks once they have worked for the same employer for longer than three consecutive months. The employee is responsible for providing a written medical certificate at their employers request within 15 days of their return to work.
  • Work related illness or injury. In the event that the medical leave is caused by a work related illness or injury Canadian employers are required to subscribe to a plan that will replace workers’ wages for their time away from the job.
  • Maternity and parental leave. Maternity leave is available for all female employees for up to 17 weeks after they have worked 6 consecutive months for the same employer. Women are not required to take this leave unless it can be proven they cannot uphold their regular duties. However, they can ask for reassignment if their job poses a health risk to themselves or their unborn child. Parental leave, which is up to 37 weeks, can be taken by natural and adopted parents and can be combined with maternity leave.
  • Compassionate care leave. Employees are eligible for up to 8 weeks leave to care for a family member who is gravely ill.
  • Critical Illness of child. If a child under the age of 18 requires care due to a critical illness, parents can take up to 37 weeks.
  • Child death or disappearance. If a child has died or gone missing due to a crime parents are eligible for leave from employment. They may take up to 52 weeks for a missing child and up to 104 weeks for the death of a child under these circumstances.
  • Bereavement leave. After an employee has worked 3 consecutive months for an employer they are eligible for three days off after the death of a close relative.
  • Reservist leave. If an employee requires military training or other operations they may be eligible for leave without pay from their civilian job. They must provide notification to their employer.

Do you want to know more about the Canadian Labour Standards and how they affect your business? Contact Anserteam Workforce solutions, proudly offering workforce support to North American organizations, to learn more!