N.B. proposes changes to sick leave to help protect jobs
The government has introduced legislation that would allow for up to 27 weeks of unpaid leave for injury recovery or illness, if passed.
According to the Government of New Brunswick’s release, other provinces and federally regulated workplaces currently offer 26 to 27 weeks of protected leave for illness and recovery.
In New Brunswick, current legislation guarantees only five days of job-protected leave in 52 weeks.
These changes would expand job protection and allow workers to recover without fear of job loss.
“No one should have to put their health at risk because they fear losing their job,” said Alyson Townsend, minister responsible for labour, in the release. “We are ensuring hard-working New Brunswickers, many of the most vulnerable employees in New Brunswick, have their jobs protected when it comes to taking time to recover from illness or injury.”
The Employment Standards Act provides conditions of employment in New Brunswick. The act establishes minimum standards in areas including wages, rest periods, paid holidays, and leave of absence. However, the jobs that follow minimum standards are occupied by vulnerable populations, according to the release, such as women, youth, those with disabilities, foreign workers, and elders. This new legislation would seek to change that.
“There are already enough challenges that come with a cancer diagnosis, and worrying about whether your job will be there when treatment is done shouldn’t be one of them,” said Stuart Edmonds, executive vice-president of mission, research, and advocacy with the Canadian Cancer Society in the release. “By expanding job protection for people facing serious illnesses to 27 weeks, the government of New Brunswick is showing strong, compassionate leadership.”
