Paid sick leave: About 6% of Canadians are entitled to it

Federal Labor Secretary Seamus O’Regan has announced that nearly one million Canadians will take 10 days of paid sick leave as of December 1, 2022.

“One of the most important lessons COVID-19 has taught us is that when you’re sick, you stay home,” O’Regan said. “Workers shouldn’t face any consequences for making a good decision. 10 days of paid vacation means they won’t have to.”

This new regulation will allow 6% of all workers in the country to “prioritize their health and improve their working conditions,” we can read in a press release.

Remember that last year, the Government of Canada announced that it would include these 10 days of paid sick leave in Canada’s labor law to “better protect workers, their jobs, and their families.”

The settlement was completed after several consultations with various stakeholders, including employers and unions.

According to the long-term effects predicted by the federal government, the new sick leave should reduce the number of days workers report illness at work and limit the spread of the disease.

This change will apply to all workplaces in the federal private sector, including transportation, banking and postal services.

Additionally, Canadian workers were absent an average of 8.5 days due to illness or disability in 2019, according to Statistics Canada.