The Province of Alberta introduced a 14 consecutive day, unpaid, job protected leave for employees under quarantine (“COVID-19 Leave”).
After first announcing the leave on March 13, the government passed the Employment Standards (COVID-19 Leave) Regulation (the “Regulation”) by an Order in Council filed on March 17, 2020.
The definition of “quarantine” includes employees under self-isolation or self-quarantine, or caring for a child or dependent adult who is under self-quarantine, as a result of COVID-19 and as recommended or directed by the Chief Medical Officer. Based on this wording, it is unlikely to include circumstances where an employee voluntarily chooses to self-isolate where there has not been a recommendation by the Chief Medical Officer to do so.
Employees are eligible for COVID-19 Leave regardless of their length of service, meaning there is no requirement to be employed for 90 days in order to be eligible. There is also no requirement that the employee provide a medical certificate to their employer in order to be eligible for the leave. The Regulation clearly states that an employee under quarantine is not required to give any notice of their return to work date to the employer.
The Minister is able to extend COVID-19 Leave beyond 14 days where the Chief Medical Officer determines that an extension is necessary to suppress COVID-19 in those infected, to protect those who have not been exposed, or to break the chain of transmission and prevent spread of COVID-19.
While on leave, employees can apply for Employment Insurance (“EI”) sickness benefits, which provide up to 15 weeks of income replacement. The Government of Canada recently announced that the one-week waiting period for EI sickness benefits will be waived for new claimants who are quarantined.
On March 18, 2020, the Province of Alberta also announced their intention to implement an emergency payment program which provides one payment installment of $573 for employees who are off work on quarantine and not receiving EI benefits. This payment installment is intended to bridge the gap until the proposed federal emergency payment program begins in April. The emergency payment program is expected to be available next week via the Province of Alberta website.
COVID-19 Leave does not affect an employee’s entitlement to Long-Term Illness and Injury Leave as outlined in section 53.97 of the Employment Standards Code. Under this leave, employees are entitled to up to 16 weeks of unpaid, job protected leave per calendar year due to illness, injury or quarantine. In order to be eligible for Long-Term Illness and Injury Leave, employees must provide a medical certificate to the employer stating the estimated duration of the leave. Written notice from the employee which includes an estimated date of the employee’s return to work is also required.
Update:
The Government of Alberta’s Emergency Isolation Support program is now closed after distributing funds to over 79,596 eligible Albertans since the launch of the program, for a total of approximately $91.7 million.
Albertans may still be eligible for the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (“CERB”). Albertans who meet the eligibility requirements for CERB, can receive $500 per week for a maximum of 24 weeks. The CERB eligibility period runs from March 15, 2020 to October 3, 2020. Further information about CERB can be found on the Government of Canada website.
On Wednesday March 25, 2020, the Alberta Government launched an online portal for the province’s emergency isolation support payment, a one-time payment of $1,146.00 for Albertans who:
- experienced total or significant loss of income as a result of having to self-isolate, or are the sole caregiver of a dependent who is self-isolating; and
- have no other source of compensation (ex. workplace sick leave benefits for federal employment insurance benefits).
This payment was increased from the $573 reported as at March 19, 2020. Further information about the emergency isolation support payment can be found on the Alberta Government website.
Our labour and employment team remains committed to assisting employers with any questions regarding the management of their workforce during this time.
Note: This article is of a general nature only and is not exhaustive of all possible legal rights or remedies. In addition, laws may change over time and should be interpreted only in the context of particular circumstances such that these materials are not intended to be relied upon or taken as legal advice or opinion. Readers should consult a legal professional for specific advice in any particular situation.