BC Employment Standards Act – update

Effective Thursday, May 17, 2018 the following changes to the BC Employment Standards Act came into effect:

Amended:

• Section 50: Pregnancy leave to start as early as 13 weeks before the expected birth date.
• Section 51: Extension of parental leave to be aligned with EI extended parental leave benefits; i.e. 78 weeks for the birth mother when combining pregnancy & parental leave. Partners, non-birth parents or adopting parents will have the option to take up to 62 consecutive weeks of parental leave within the 78 weeks of the child’ birth or adoption.
• Section 52: Compassionate care leave increased to 27 weeks.

New Section:

• Section 52.03: Protected unpaid leave for parents whose child has disappeared as a result of a crime defined by section 207.4 (f) of the Canada Labour Code: 52 weeks.
• Section 52.04: Protected unpaid leave for parents grieving the death of a child (19 years of age or younger) who dies under any circumstances is entitled to up to 104 weeks.

For more information please refer to the BC – Employment Standards Act or visit the Employment Standards website.