B.C. moves to upgrade legislation concerning absences from work

The B.C. government is moving to upgrade employment legislation covering five specific work absences ranging from pregnancy leave to time off for parents of a missing or deceased child.

NDP Labour Minister Harry Bains has introduced the changes to the Employment Standards Act in the legislature. A news release from the Labour Ministry says the amendments support workers by extending compassion to families facing tragic circumstances.

The changes include an option for longer leave for mothers before the birth of their child, extended, unpaid parental leave for new parents, and up to 52 weeks of unpaid leave for parents dealing with a crimerelated disappearance of a child.

Parents grieving the death of a child could receive up to 104 weeks of unpaid leave without concern about job loss, while compassionate-care leave will more than triple from eight to 27 weeks for employees caring for a terminally ill family member.

If the changes are approved, the ministry says B.C.’s employment standards for the specific work absences will be at least as good, if not better, than those offered by other provinces and territories.

The B.C. Ministry of Labour says it’s looking to make broader amendments to the Employment Standards Act, considering recommendations from the B.C. Law Institute’s ongoing review of the act and from groups like the B.C. Employment Standards Coalition.