Long Term Sick Leave Ontario (2025 Guide to Long-Term Illness Leave)

If you’re facing a serious medical condition that prevents you from working, you now have new legal protections in Ontario. As of June 19, 2025, the Employment Standards Act (ESA) provides a new entitlement called long-term illness leave.

This guide explains how long-term sick leave in Ontario works, who qualifies, how long you can take off, and what your employer is required to do.

What Is Long-Term Illness Leave in Ontario?

Long-term illness leave is a new job-protected unpaid leave under Ontario’s ESA. It gives eligible employees time away from work if they can’t perform their duties due to a serious medical condition.

How Long Is Long-Term Sick Leave in Ontario?

Employees are entitled to up to 27 weeks of unpaid leave in a 52-week period.

This provides extended job protection beyond the short-term sick leave of three unpaid days previously available.

Who Is Eligible?

To qualify for long-term illness leave in Ontario, you must:

1. Have worked for your employer for at least 13 consecutive weeks
2. Be unable to perform your job duties due to a serious medical condition
3. Provide a certificate or doctor’s note from a qualified health practitioner that confirms you have a serious medical condition, and states the period during which you will be unable to work.

Do You Get Paid During Long-Term Illness Leave?

The ESA does not require employers to provide paid leave. However, employees may be able to receive income through:

• Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits – up to 26 weeks of payments.
• Long term disability Ontario insurance – if offered through your workplace or purchased privately.

Employer Obligations

When an employee takes long-term illness leave:

• Employers must hold the employee’s job (or provide a comparable role when they return).
• Employers are required to retain records related to the leave for three years after the leave ends.
• Employers can’t penalize or terminate an employee for exercising their right to take this leave.

When Did Long-Term Illness Leave Start?

This new leave came into force on June 19, 2025. It ensures Ontario workers facing serious illness have the time they need to recover, without risking their jobs.

Can You Be Fired for Taking Long-Term Illness Leave?

No. It is illegal for your employer to fire you, threaten you, discipline you, or cut your hours or reduce your pay for taking long-term illness leave. If that happens, you may have grounds for a wrongful dismissal claim and could be owed a full severance package — up to 24 months’ pay.

Key Takeaways

Employees in Ontario now have the right to take up to 27 weeks of unpaid long-term illness leave if they can’t work due to a serious medical condition, backed by a medical certificate. While the leave itself is unpaid, EI sickness benefits and long-term disability insurance may provide income support.

Speak to an Employment Lawyer

If your employer refuses to recognize your leave or penalizes you for taking it, or if your LTD claim is denied, contact our team immediately.

At Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, we’ve helped tens of thousands of employees across Ontario enforce their workplace rights.

At our firm, we have:

• ⚖️ Settled over 99% of cases quickly through negotiation or mediation
• 💰 Secured millions in compensation
• 📱 Free Termination Consultations — in many, but not all, cases
• ⭐ Earned 2,310 5-star Google reviews (4.8 average)
• 🏆 Recognized as one of Canada’s Best Law Firms (Globe and Mail)

Call us at 1-855-821-5900 or request a consultation online.