Government Extends Paid Sick Days
The Ontario Government has extended paid sick days to March 31, 2023. This pay provides employees with up to three (3) days paid infectious disease emergency leave due to certain reasons related to COVID-19.
Paid infectious disease emergency leave is available for certain reasons related to COVID‑19, including:
- going for a COVID‑19 test
- staying home awaiting the results of a COVID‑19 test
- being sick with COVID‑19
- getting individual medical treatment for mental health reasons related to COVID‑19going to get vaccinated
- experiencing a side effect from a COVID‑19 vaccination
- having been advised to self-isolate due to COVID‑19 by an employer, medical practitioner or other specified authority
- providing care or support to certain relatives for COVID‑19 related reasons, such as when they are:
- sick with COVID‑19 or have symptoms of COVID‑19
- self-isolating due to COVID‑19 on the advice of a medical practitioner or other specified authority
- providing care or support to their child who is getting vaccinated against COVID‑19 or is experiencing side effects from the vaccine
Employers are generally required to pay employees the wages they would have earned had they not taken the leave, up to $200 a day for up to three days.
As of April 19, 2021, employers are eligible for reimbursement of paid infectious disease emergency leave if they did not otherwise provide paid days under an employment contract that could be used for COVID-19 related reasons. Find out more.