COVID-19: Employee Vacation Requests in Ontario

An employee looking to take a one-week vacation outside Canada will also require a manager’s approval of a mandatory 14-day unpaid self-isolation period.

Due to staffing shortages as a result of the time missed, or any other related issue caused by the time off, managers can deny vacation requests due to the extended time away from work.

A worker’s standard week away from work will now become a potentially partially-unpaid three-week ordeal, which could negatively impact both employees and employers.

Jon Pinkus is an Ontario employment lawyer, and partner at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP. He joined host Mike Farwell on 570 News in Kitchener to discuss employee vacation rights during the coronavirus pandemic.

Can my employer deny my vacation request during COVID-19?

Yes. An employer in Ontario has the ability to refuse an employee’s request for vacation time during the coronavirus pandemic. This fact is also in play when the province is not experiencing a pandemic situation.

An employer can ultimately determine when an employee can take time off for vacation, outside of a few exceptions. Generally speaking, your employer can’t prevent you from using your vacation during what is called the vacation entitlement year. This particular one-year period starts from the date you are hired and starts anew after a period of twelve months.

SEE ALSO
Jon Pink on Kitchener Today “Managers can deny International Travel Time off During Pandemic”

Other areas covered by this interview

• The impact of a one-week vacation during the coronavirus pandemic
• Is the government trying to dissuade Canadians from taking an international trip during the crisis?
• Employees don’t feel comfortable returning to work during the pandemic
• What can employees do to educate themselves on their rights to a safe workplace?