As of October 29th, 2014 the list of job-protected leaves of absence under Ontario’s Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA) will include 3 additional leaves. The new list will expand to include Family Caregiver Leave, Critically Ill Child Care Leave and Crime Related Child Death or Disappearance Leave.
Family Caregiver Leave
All employees are entitled to up to eight (8) weeks of unpaid job protected leave per calendar year under the Family Caregiver Leave.
Critically Ill Child Leave
Employee’s who have at least six (6) consecutive months of employment with the Company are entitled to up to thirty seven (37) weeks of unpaid job protected leave under the Critically Ill Child Leave. This leave is provided so that employees can provide support to a critically ill child.
The critically ill child leave can be taken in two (2) or more periods, as long as the total number of weeks does not exceed the maximum amount of weeks the employee is entitled to.
Crime-Related Child Death or Disappearance Leave
Employee’s who have at least six (6) consecutive months of employment with the Company are entitled to up to one hundred and four (104) weeks of unpaid job protected leave if an employee’s child dies and it is probable, considering the circumstances, that the child died as the result of a crime. Employee’s who have at least six (6) consecutive months of employment with the Company are entitled to up to fifty two (52) weeks of unpaid job protected leave if an employee’s child disappears and it is probable, considering the circumstances, that the child disappeared as the result of a crime.
