SICK LEAVE FOR EMPLOYEES

Sick leave entitlements vary depending on where you work:

• Federal employees: You are entitled to 10 days of paid sick leave per year after 3 months of employment.
• Provincial employees: Each province has its own laws.
  • For example, in Ontario: You get 3 unpaid sick days per year after 2 weeks of employment. Your employer doesn’t have to pay you for these days. In addition, the Ontario government has recently announced a new Long-Term Illness Leave which will provide employees with an unpaid, job protected leave of up to 27 weeks if the employee is unable to perform the duties of their position because of a serious medical condition. This new leave comes into effect on June 19, 2025.
• Check your employment contract: Your contract might give you more sick leave than the minimum required by law.

Sick leave is typically used for:

• Personal illness or injury: When you can’t work due to your own health.
• Medical appointments: For going to the doctor or getting medical treatments.

This depends on your employer’s policy and how long you’re off work. Some employers might require a doctor’s note for absences longer than a certain number of days.

• Sick leave: Short-term leave for minor illnesses or injuries. It might be paid or unpaid.
• Disability benefits: Longer-term benefits from an insurance plan (your employer’s or a private one) when you have a serious illness or injury that keeps you from working for a long time.

Disability benefits can provide income replacement when someone is unable to work; that is entirely separate from the entitlement to time off.

Even if you don’t qualify for disability benefits, you may still be entitled to time off and be protected from being fired under human rights laws if your absence is related to a disability. Talk to an employment lawyer to understand your rights. Just because you are not eligible for disability benefits does not mean you are able to work; those are two entirely different issues.

• Federal employees: Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) website.
• Ontario employees: Ontario Ministry of Labour website.
• Your employment contract: Check your contract for details about your sick leave.