To view a summary of the Public Health Emergency Leave, please review the Employment Standards Leaves Quick Reference - Interpersonal Violence and Public Health Emergency guide.
The Public Health Emergency Leave is intended for employees to assist in protecting their jobs when they have been directed to isolate as ordered by:
- their employer;
- the government;
- their doctor; or
- the chief medical health officer of the province.
Employees who are required to isolate themselves or care for their child or adult family who have been affected by an order or direction of the Government of Saskatchewan or an order of the chief medical health officer are eligible.
Employees will be entitled to leave for the length of time they are ordered by their employer, government, their doctor or the chief medical health officer to remain away from work.
The Public Health Emergency Leave is an unpaid leave. However, employees are entitled to be paid their regular wages if their employer authorizes them to work from home during the period of time as set out by the order of the chief medical health officer or government.
Employees do not have to work for an employer for a minimum amount of time or require a medical note to access this leave if eligible.
While notice to the employer is not required to take Public Health Emergency Leave, employees are encouraged to be in regular contact with their employer regarding their leave.
The length of time for a Public Health Emergency Leave will depend on the order, and may be different in each individual circumstance. The protected leave is for as long as the public health order is in place.
Employees who provide critical public health and safety services are not eligible for Public Health Emergency Leave, although they may be if they are directed to isolate by a doctor, the Government of Saskatchewan or the Chief Medical Health Officer.
Refer to section Bill 207 - The Saskatchewan Employment Act to learn more about the Public Health Emergency Act.