BC residents asked provide feedback on 3 proposed options for permanent paid sick leave

The process to implement permanent sick leave in British Columbia is moving forward to the next step.

Based on responses from the first phase of consultation, the provincial government has asked residents to provide feedback on three proposed options for permanent paid sick leave.

Prior to this point, more than 26,000 surveys were completed by workers and employers between Aug. 5 and Sept. 14.

"Over the past several weeks, thousands of workers and employers have completed surveys to give us valuable information on their current sick-leave benefits, if any, and what is needed," said Harry Bains, minister of labour.

The three options cover the minimum amount of paid sick leave days an employee would get, which are three, five or 10 days.

The options paper is now posted on the Province’s engagement site and is available for comment until Oct. 25.

Bains said that one of the most critical lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic is the importance of people staying home when they are sick.

"No one should have to choose between going to work sick or losing wages,” he explained.

“Paid sick leave is good for businesses, good for workers and good for our communities. We're asking for input on the next step toward making paid sick leave a permanent reality for British Columbia."

According to the Province, an estimated 50% of BC employees don’t have access to paid sick leave, which means more than one million workers in BC will benefit from these changes.

Permanent paid sick leave requirements will come into force in BC on Jan. 1, 2022.