Public health emergency leave ONLY applies during a public health emergency as declared by the World Health Organization and the chief medical health officer orders that it applies to Saskatchewan and measures must be taken to reduce or prevent the spread of the disease, or the chief medical health officer orders that a disease is present in Saskatchewan such that measures must be taken to reduce or prevent the spread of the disease.
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.
Public health emergency leave applies when the chief medical health officer of Saskatchewan issues an order that individuals must take measures to reduce or prevent the spread of disease, including isolation from others. An employee is entitled to unpaid public health emergency leave when they are directed to isolate themselves by:
- their employer;
- the government;
- their doctor; or
- the chief medical health officer of the province.
Employees are also eligible to access the unpaid leave when they 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 during a public health emergency.
During a public health emergency, employees are 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.
Employees are entitled to their regular wages and benefits if their employer authorizes them to work from home during the period as set out by 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 always be in contact 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 only for as long as the public health order is in place and applies to the employee unable to attend work.
Employees who have been informed by their employer that they 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.