Saskatchewan changes rules around sick leave to provide unpaid leave for workers during COVID-19

Removes requirement of 13 consecutive work weeks to qualify for sick leave

Image | Sask Name Changes 20200109

Caption: The provincial government announced it is changing labour laws to provide unpaid leave for workers during a public health emergency. (Mark Taylor/The Canadian Press)

The Saskatchewan government is changing labour laws to provide unpaid leave for workers during a public health emergency.
The government made the announcement as it confirmed its eighth positive COVID-19 test, one more than a day earlier.
Health officials say the new case is someone in their 50s who was tested in Regina after returning from a dental conference in Vancouver.
The labour law changes remove a requirement that someone must work at least 13 consecutive weeks at a job before qualifying for sick leave.
They also remove the provision that requires a doctor's note to qualify for sick leave.
Labour Minister Don Morgan said no one should lose their job because they are doing what they are asked by health officials during a public health emergency.