Effective January 1, 2022, employers are required to provide eligible employees with up to 5 days of paid sick leave per year if they need to stay home because they are sick or injured.

You need to pay your employees their regular wages for these days. They do not have to be taken consecutively.  Employees are also entitled to 3 days of unpaid sick leave.

Background:

On November 24, 2021, the provincial government announced that it will be amending the BC Employment Standards Act to provide employees in British Columbia with 5 days of paid sick leave.

When does the legislation come into effect?

The Paid Sick Leave legislation comes into effect on January 1, 2022. All employers will be required to comply with the legislation on that date.  On December 31, 2021, the Paid COVID-19 related sick leave is ending.  For more info