The B.C. government has introduced amendments to the Employment Standards Act that, if passed, will provide workers with up to three hours of paid leave to get each dose of their COVID-19 vaccine.
The amendments ensure no one will lose pay if they need time away from work to get vaccinated, province said.
If passed, the effective date will be retroactive to the date of introduction, April 19, 2021.
“We know that many workers can’t afford to lose pay, and we need to make sure that it’s as easy as possible for workers to receive a COVID-19 vaccine,” said Harry Bains, Minister of Labour.
“This paid leave will ensure that no one will have to choose between losing pay and getting their doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.”
The Ministry of Labour consulted with the business community, labour organizations, Indigenous partners and other stakeholders in developing this legislation to balance paid leave with supports for employers.
