Workers in British Columbia can receive up to three hours of paid leave in order to get a COVID-19 vaccination.
A statement from the Ministry of Labour says amendments to the Employment Standards Act are now in effect, retroactive to April 19.
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The employer-paid leave covers full-time and part-time workers and the ministry says it ensures no employee will lose pay for taking time off to get vaccinated.
The three-hour leave is part of B.C.’s immunization plan and the statement says it helps make the vaccination process as easy as possible.
The legislation improves on changes enacted April 1 that provide unpaid leave for pandemic-related vaccinations, which could include a worker accompanying a family member for a shot, or if the worker needs more time to get to an assigned vaccination facility.
Labour Minister Harry Bains says vaccinations keep workers safe and reduce risks to businesses.
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“Our government believes it’s in everyone’s interest to remove all barriers to a worker getting vaccinated when they are eligible to do so,” Bains says in the statement.
The paid leave amendment will remain in effect until repealed by regulation, the ministry says.
