Employers will receive reimbursement for paying employees on sick leave
Nova Scotia is extending its COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave Programme until May 7, according to a government announcement, after it expired in the end of March.
The COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave Programme grants four days of paid sick leave to employees who cannot work remotely and miss less than half of their scheduled work hours in a week due to COVID-related issues. It covers the following reasons:
- self-isolating because of an exposure, close contact, or COVID-19 symptoms and are waiting to get a rapid or PCR test
- getting a rapid or PCR test
- self-isolating while waiting to get PCR test results
- getting a vaccine or booster dose (time missed due to a reaction or symptoms from a vaccine or booster is not covered)
The programme grants up to $20 per hour or $160 per day, with a maximum of $640 per employee.
"Nova Scotians know how to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at work, and we're happy to support them in making the right decisions," said Premier Tim Houston in a statement.
"We continue to listen to Nova Scotians and remain focused on keeping workplaces safe. Extending the programme supports this objective."
For employers, they could apply for reimbursement under the initiative if they paid an employee for missed time because of the reasons also mentioned above.
They could avail the reimbursement within 30 days of an employee's sick days. Eligible businesses include organisations that:
- are a for-profit business or not-for-profit organisation
- have a permanent physical location in Nova Scotia
- are registered to do business in Nova Scotia
- are in good standing with the government of Nova Scotia (not in default of any financial obligations like loan repayments, taxes, fines, fees, and administrative and court orders)
- are claiming reimbursement for Nova Scotia-based employees
- do not provide their employees with at least 4 paid sick leave days
They can expect the reimbursement as quickly as five business days from their application, according to the provincial government.
The programme complements the federal Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit, which can be availed by employees who missed more than half of their scheduled work week due to reasons related to COVID-19.
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Nova Scotia workers 'deserve security'
National Democratic Party (NDP) Leader Gary Burrill commented on the extension saying he is happy to hear about it.
"I'm very glad to see the government listen to what workers, experts, community organisations, unions, and the NDP have been saying for some time - if people are told to stay home when they are not feeling well, they must have paid sick days to do so," Burrill said in a statement.
However, he criticised the government for simply extending a limited programme instead of taking permanent measures on the issue.
"It is, however, unfortunate the government is simply extending a limited programme, temporarily, instead of taking action to solve the problem permanently. People in Nova Scotia deserve the security of knowing that when they are sick, they can afford to stay home. This means we need permanent paid sick days as part of the Labour Standards Code in Nova Scotia."
Nova Scotia Labour Minister Jill Balser said she is currently co-ordinating with her counterparts in other provinces on the possibility of a permanent paid sick leave programme.
"In the meantime, while COVID is still very active in our communities, we want to make sure Nova Scotians can access this temporary program, which people have told us has been helpful in keeping COVID out of the workplace," Balser said in a statement.
