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BC government creates temporary layoff period due to COVID-19

Extension increases previous notice of termination time frame from 13 to 16 weeks
Covid Powell River
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To ease financial hardship on businesses and keep employees connected with their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic, the provincial government has extended the temporary layoff period to 16 weeks for COVID-19 related reasons, according to a media release from the ministry of labour on May 4.

Previously, under the Employment Standards Act, a temporary layoff longer than 13 weeks in any 20-week period (or about three months in a five-month period) was considered a permanent layoff. With a permanent layoff, employers are required to provide employees with written working notice of termination and/or pay severance to qualifying employees, based on their length of service. Now, temporary layoffs relating to the COVID-19 pandemic can be extended to 16 weeks, if the employee agrees, stated the ministry.

This change to the Employment Standards Act aligns BC’s temporary layoff provisions with the federal Canada Emergency Response Benefit period. The federal period provides 16 weeks of financial support, allowing employees to take full advantage of those benefits.

It also allows employees to keep their job, even if they are not working, for 16 weeks of temporary layoff. Employers will be able to quickly resume operations should the public health emergency end within that time, according to the ministry.

The COVID-19 emergency temporary layoff provisions are not intended to be permanent, according to the release, and will be repealed when no longer needed.