WHITEHORSE—The Government of Yukon proclaimed Section 3 of the Act to Amend the Employment Standards Act last week. This amendment will help parents caring for a critically ill child by providing job protection when they take a leave of absence without pay. It will also allow Yukon parents to access new federal benefit programs. The Government of Canada amended its relevant legislation in June 2013.
“It is very important to ensure that Yukon parents who are dealing with these difficult issues have the support system in place to help them in their time of need,” Minister of Community Services Brad Cathers said. “These amendments ensure that parents who need access to these new federal programs are also supported under Yukon legislation.”
The federal Employment Insurance Act allows for up to 35 weeks of financial benefits for parents away from work to care for a critically ill child.
Other sections of the Yukon government’s Act to Amend the Employment Standards Act came into effect in May and included the same leave provisions for parents of a missing or murdered child, in alignment with changes to the federal Department of Social Development Act.
The amendments provide job protection with limited potential cost to employers and reflect similar provisions made in the past for compassionate care, bereavement, reservist, maternity and parental leave.
For more information visit www.community.gov.yk.ca.
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Contact:
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Matthew Grant |
Bonnie Venton Ross |
