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What you need to know about Ontario’s PROPOSED Paid Sick Leave

By April 29, 2021Employees, Employers, Ontario

On April 29, 2021, the Ontario Government will introduce the  Putting Workers First Act, which would require employers to provide employees with up to three days of paid leave because of certain reasons related to  including:

  • going for a test
  • staying home awaiting the results of a  test
  • being sick with 
  • going to get vaccinated
  • experiencing a side effect from a vaccination
  • having been advised to self-isolate due to by an employer, medical practitioner or other authority
  • taking care of a dependent who is:
    • sick with  or has symptoms of 
    • self-isolating due to 

If the legislation is passed, employers will be required to pay employees up to $200 a day for up to three days. The three days would not need to be taken consecutively.

Eligibility

If the legislation is passed, the three days of paid leave would only be available to employees who:

  • are covered by the Employment Standards Act (ESA) (independent contractors or federally regulated employees would not qualify for these days).
  • do not already receive paid sick time through their employer

Doctor’s note not required

Employers cannot require an employee to provide a certificate from a doctor or nurse as evidence.

Employer reimbursement for paid leave

If the legislation is passed, eligible employers would be able to apply for a reimbursement of up to $200 per employee day taken, from the Ontario government. If the employee’s regular rate of pay is less than $200 day, the employer will only be eligible for reimbursement of the employee’s regular rate of pay.

Eligible employers would need to make their application for reimbursement within 120 days of the paid leave.

Jess Watt

Author Jess Watt

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