In November, the BC Government-mandated 5 days of paid sick leave per year starting January 1, 2022. This change happened after months of advocacy from UFCW 1518, union members, and the labour movement. To provide clarity about the paid sick leave program, we have collected responses to some of the recurring questions members have asked about BC’s Paid Sick Leave program.
FAQ
Q: What happens if I am a casual or part-time worker and my employer denied me access to the 5 paid sick days?
Please contact your union representative to report the issue. If you don’t know who your union representative is, please call us at 604.526.1518.
Under the Employment Standards Act, unionized employers are required to meet or exceed leave provisions under the Act. Each collective agreement is different, so speak to your union representative for further clarification.
Q: If I’m new at work, do I get the 5 paid sick days?
Only employees who have worked for the employer for at least 90 days qualify.
Q: Can I use the 5 days for any type of illness?
Yes, you can use the 5 paid sick days for any type of illness.
Q: Do I need to take the 5 days consecutively?
No, you do not need to take the 5 days consecutively.
Q: What if my employer already offers 5 paid sick days, do I get 5 more days?
No. If your employer offers 5 days or more, then your employer already complies with BC’s Paid Sick Leave Program. Nevertheless, the 5 days of paid sick leave is a big win for workers who were not offered a paid sick leave before this mandate.
Q: If I don’t get sick for one year, can I carry over the 5 days to the following year?
No. Workers cannot carry the paid sick days year to year. They will expire annually if left unused.
Q: How will the 5 days of paid sick leave impact my collective agreement?
If you have specific questions about the paid sick leave program and how it relates to your collective agreement, please reach out to your union representative.
Q: What other government-mandated leaves should I know about?
Yes, under the Employment Standards Act, employees can take:
- 3 days of unpaid sick leave
- up to 5 days of unpaid family responsibility leave
- up to 5 days of paid leave and 5 more days of unpaid leave per calendar year if they are impacted by domestic or sexual violence
For more information on leaves of absence under the BC employment standards, check out the BC Government website.