Paid Sick Days in B.C.

BC Government and Paid Sick Days

The BC government enacted a new permanent paid sick leave program on January 1, 2022 that allows employees to access five paid sick days per year. The paid sick days program applies to all full and part-time workers covered under the Employment Standards Act who have worked for their employer for at least 90 days.

Do I get paid sick days in BC?

Right now, BC employees are entitled to five paid sick days, as well as the three unpaid sick days that are currently provided under the Employment Standards Act.

Do I qualify for paid sick days in BC?

The existing program allows part and full-time employees covered by the Employment Standards Act, including temporary and casual employees, who have worked their employers for at least 90 days.

How many sick days in a year do you get in BC?

Right now, workers covered under the Employment Standards Act are eligible for up to five paid sick days per year, and three unpaid days of sick leave per year.

How much pay can I receive?

Under the new program, employees receive their regular wages for missed work days, for up to five days.

How soon does my employer have to pay me?

Money owed for paid sick days must be paid on the regular payday that corresponds to the day that was taken off. Your employer must pay you for the sick day that took place in a given pay period, no later.

How long does the paid sick days program last?

The new paid sick leave program is permanent and replaces the previous program which offered workers three paid sick days. The previous program ended on December 31, 2021.

Do I need to show my employer a doctor’s note?

An employer is allowed to ask for sufficient proof that an employee is ill and is therefore entitled to paid sick leave.

READ MORE
• B.C. employees and sick notes

What are my other sick leave entitlements in BC?

An employee who has been working for their employer for a minimum of 90 days is currently entitled to up to five paid sick days and three days of unpaid, job-protected leave due to illness or injury.

Employees must notify their employers if they are unable to work. If your employer requests a doctor’s note or medical documentation, you are obligated to provide one to be entitled to the leave.

READ MORE:
• BC announces new permanent paid sick leave program

Due to COVID-19, the federal government has also enacted a paid sick leave program for employees, the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB).

The CRSB was put in place to provide employed or self-employed individuals with income support when they are unable to work or need to self-isolate due to COVID-19.

The federal government extended the CRSB until May of 2022, and extended the benefit from 4 to 6 weeks of eligibility.

The CRSB provides up to $500 per week, for up to 6 weeks, between September 27, 2020, and May 7, 2022.

Currently eligibility cannot be extended once you have used up the 6 weeks, regardless of whether you are sick or self-isolating from COVID-19.