New legislation grants caregivers unpaid leave from work

New provincial legislation will allow Ontario caregivers to take extra time off work without the risk of losing their jobs.

The Employment Standards Amendment Act, which came into effect Oct. 29, allows family caregivers to apply for unpaid leave from their jobs under a number of different conditions.

Family caregiver leave allows an individual to take up to eight weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave to care for a family member with a serious medical condition.

Critically ill child care leave allows parents to take up to 37 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave to provide care for their critically ill child.

Crime-related child death or disappearance leave grants parents of a missing child up to 52 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave, and up to 104 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for parents of a child who has died as a result of a crime.

“The one thing working Ontarians need most when it comes to caring for seriously ill or injured family members is time to be with their loved ones,” said Minister of Labour Kevin Flynn, in a press release. “These new leaves are a matter of compassion. They will increase job security and are the right thing to do for Ontario families.”