Concern for paid sick leave in Ontario rises

As COVID-19 numbers continue to rise in Ontario, a growing concern for paid sick leave is also rising. While new measures were announced in order to combat the spread of the pandemic, the Ontario government has notably not mentioned additional sick leave.

A Toronto employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP spoke with 570 News on the growing desire from Ontario residents for paid sick leave and other options available for compensation.

While some employers have not offered employees paid sick leave, the lawyer notes that Canadians can instead apply for the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit. “With respect to employees that decide to stay home, they are going to be home without pay immediately and then, later on, they could receive the $500 per week from the government … but that’s only for a max of two weeks until September of this year,” the lawyer explains.

For Canadians that need to remain home for longer than two weeks and are worried about their income, employment insurance is also an option. “They may still be able to access EI benefits if they’re on medical leave. So technically, once an employee goes on medical leave, they then can have the employer issue a record of employment, and they can then receive EI benefits,” the lawyer notes.

Ultimately, the lawyer adds that staying home without immediate paid sick leave for many Canadians will be difficult.