Attention Ontario Employers!

Back in September, we wrote about the provincial government’s decision to extend the applicability of the deemed infectious disease emergency leave rules to January 2, 2021. Now, the provincial government has granted another extension, this time to July 3, 2021.

This means that employers may continue to reduce or eliminate hours or wages if required due to COVID-19 without having to abide by statutory temporary layoff provisions, at least until July 3, 2021. Instead of a temporary lay-off, affected employees are deemed to be on an infectious disease emergency leave.

As with the previous extension, this extension was implemented in response to concerns over the continued effects of the pandemic on businesses. Many employers either do not want or cannot afford to have their laid-off employees be automatically terminated. Many employees would prefer to keep their jobs and remain on a deemed leave rather than have their employment end by operation of law.

For those operating in the unionized hospitality and tourism sector, there are additional regulations to permit the negotiations of alternative uses for termination pay amounts.
With access to vaccines imminent, it is everyone’s hope that business can return to normal in the new year. A new year brings new hope, and these legislative changes bring hope to many employers and workers.

Questions about these legislative changes? Give us a call!

From the Dunsmore Law Team, we wish you a happy holiday and a prosperous new year!