Image Credit: Flickr / Government of BC

By Labour Minister Harry Bains

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: Paid sick leave supports workers and businesses

May 19, 2021 | 9:44 AM

NOBODY SHOULD HAVE TO CHOOSE between going to work sick or losing pay. British Columbians have been doing a good job so far at slowing the spread of COVID-19, but we need to continue to reduce workplace transmission of the virus in order to put this pandemic behind us.

That is why our New Democrat government has introduced legislation to give every worker in B.C. up to three days of paid sick leave for circumstances related to COVID-19. This means that people won’t lose pay and can safely stay home if they have symptoms or while they are waiting for their test results.

Workers using this leave will get their full pay for the time they miss – there’s no application process or additional delay, and no need for a doctor’s note. Employers who don’t already have a paid sick leave program will be reimbursed up to $200 per day that an employee uses the leave.

After advocating to the federal government for a national solution to a national problem, B.C. New Democrats took action to fill the gaps. If a worker in B.C. is sick with COVID-19 or needs to self-isolate, they won’t lose pay for the first three days while they apply and wait for the federal COVID-19 sickness benefit. And unlike other jurisdictions, B.C.’s paid sick leave will be available until the end of the year.

B.C. is also the first province to commit to permanent paid sick leave for any illness or injury, which will start January 1, 2022. We’re consulting with the business community, labour organizations, Indigenous partners and other stakeholders to determine the number of days and make sure this permanent program will meet the needs of British Columbians into the future.

Two and Out

PETERS: Whether building up or tearing down, Kamloops is what you make it

16h ago

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: How to reduce food waste in Kamloops during the festive season

22h ago

Looped In

LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: December 12, 2024

Dec 12, 2024

Our paid sick leave program builds on other actions we’ve taken to support workers, including introducing job-protected leave so people can’t be fired if they need to miss work when they’re sick, need to self-isolate or need to care for loved ones due to COVID-19. We also introduced up to three hours of paid leave for workers to get vaccinated. And we’re the only province in Canada to provide immediate benefits through WorkSafeBC to workers who contract COVID-19 at work, for as long as they are sick.

Paid sick leave is not only the right thing to do for workers, it’s also important for businesses and our economic recovery. When we reduce the transmission of COVID-19 in workplaces, workers and customers will stay healthier, business can continue operating safely and our local economies will recover more quickly, which will benefit everyone.

——

Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.