Provincial temporary paid sick day programs fall short

While it is a positive first step Nova Scotia’s temporary and voluntary paid sick leave program, announced May 12, 2021, falls short of providing the protection that workers need.

“This paid sick leave program runs for a scant 82 days and will only benefit those who get sick or require time off to get a COVID test, get vaccinated or self-isolate within that time frame,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “On top of that, it’s voluntary so it fails to protect workers employed at companies that don’t want to bother doing the reimbursement paperwork and simply opt out.”

The new Nova Scotia COVID-19 Sick Leave Program will provide up to four paid sick days between May 10, 2021, and July 31, 2021. The program covers wages up to a maximum of $20 per hour or $160 per day with a maximum payment of $640. Workers will be paid by their employers, who would then be reimbursed by the provincial government.

“Four paid sick days will help some workers get through the next few weeks of the pandemic but the reality is people will still get sick after COVID-19,” said Unifor Atlantic Regional Director Linda MacNeil. “This program also caps out at $20 an hour so many workers will still have to choose between their full pay and going to work sick. Premier Iain Rankin and his government can and must do better than this band-aid solution.”

Unifor has been calling for all provinces to legislate a minimum of seven universal employer-paid sick days, and 14 days during the pandemic and related public health emergencies. The union has also actively campaigned for priority vaccine access for workers who have to work outside the house and paid time to receive their vaccination. 

Nova Scotia is the first Atlantic province to introduce paid sick leave measures tied to the pandemic. In Prince Edward Island, workers must be employed for more than five years at the same company to be entitled to just one paid sick day and up to three unpaid days per year. New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador have failed to provide any paid sick days before or during the pandemic.

Nova Scotia is the third province to introduce paid sick leave programs during the pandemic, following Ontario and British Columbia.

BC announced three days of paid sick leave on May 11, 2021 for workers available until December 31, 2021.

“Paid sick leave will help stop the spread of COVID-19 and provides a model for more permanent policy in British Columbia and across the country,” said Dias. “Although three days per calendar year is inadequate, this opens the door for future expansion.”

Unifor has been campaigning relentlessly for paid sick leave since the pandemic began. Earlier this year more than 60 Unifor members met with the B.C. government caucus, including Premier John Horgan, to lobby for paid vaccination leave, paid sick leave, and other worker-friendly policies to reduce precarious work and build back better after COVID-19.

The legislation tabled pledges to consult further and have a permanent paid sick leave program in place for January 1, 2022.

“Paid sick leave is not just good public health policy, it is good economic policy. Limiting workplace infections protects workers and, in turn, protects productivity,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western Regional Director. “Employer groups would be wise to join us in pushing for a higher standard for all workplaces.”

Provincial temporary paid sick day programs fall short

While it is a positive first step Nova Scotia’s temporary and voluntary paid sick leave program, announced May 12, 2021, falls short of providing the protection that workers need.

“This paid sick leave program runs for a scant 82 days and will only benefit those who get sick or require time off to get a COVID test, get vaccinated or self-isolate within that time frame,” said Unifor National President Jerry Dias. “On top of that, it’s voluntary so it fails to protect workers employed at companies that don’t want to bother doing the reimbursement paperwork and simply opt out.”

The new Nova Scotia COVID-19 Sick Leave Program will provide up to four paid sick days between May 10, 2021, and July 31, 2021. The program covers wages up to a maximum of $20 per hour or $160 per day with a maximum payment of $640. Workers will be paid by their employers, who would then be reimbursed by the provincial government.

“Four paid sick days will help some workers get through the next few weeks of the pandemic but the reality is people will still get sick after COVID-19,” said Unifor Atlantic Regional Director Linda MacNeil. “This program also caps out at $20 an hour so many workers will still have to choose between their full pay and going to work sick. Premier Iain Rankin and his government can and must do better than this band-aid solution.”

Unifor has been calling for all provinces to legislate a minimum of seven universal employer-paid sick days, and 14 days during the pandemic and related public health emergencies. The union has also actively campaigned for priority vaccine access for workers who have to work outside the house and paid time to receive their vaccination. 

Nova Scotia is the first Atlantic province to introduce paid sick leave measures tied to the pandemic. In Prince Edward Island, workers must be employed for more than five years at the same company to be entitled to just one paid sick day and up to three unpaid days per year. New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador have failed to provide any paid sick days before or during the pandemic.

Nova Scotia is the third province to introduce paid sick leave programs during the pandemic, following Ontario and British Columbia.

BC announced three days of paid sick leave on May 11, 2021 for workers available until December 31, 2021.

“Paid sick leave will help stop the spread of COVID-19 and provides a model for more permanent policy in British Columbia and across the country,” said Dias. “Although three days per calendar year is inadequate, this opens the door for future expansion.”

Unifor has been campaigning relentlessly for paid sick leave since the pandemic began. Earlier this year more than 60 Unifor members met with the B.C. government caucus, including Premier John Horgan, to lobby for paid vaccination leave, paid sick leave, and other worker-friendly policies to reduce precarious work and build back better after COVID-19.

The legislation tabled pledges to consult further and have a permanent paid sick leave program in place for January 1, 2022.

“Paid sick leave is not just good public health policy, it is good economic policy. Limiting workplace infections protects workers and, in turn, protects productivity,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western Regional Director. “Employer groups would be wise to join us in pushing for a higher standard for all workplaces.”