View the Employment Standards podcast and/or view the slides from the podcast for information for businesses about Public Health Emergency Leave and Public Emergency Layoff provisions.
For questions about Employment Standards provisions, please call 1-800-667-1783.
Overview
Information to help businesses manage staffing and leave due to COVID-19.
Employer Services Branch of the Ministry of Immigration and Career Training (ICT)
Provides services for employers, including customized assistance to attract, develop and retain employees, including assistance for employers to navigate through Government of Saskatchewan and Government of Canada programs and services.
Email: employerservices@gov.sk.ca
Phone: 306-787-7428
Re-Open Saskatchewan Training Subsidy
The Re-Open Saskatchewan Training Subsidy allows eligible employers to access up to $10,000 to provide existing employees with training that addresses increased health and safety requirements or adoption of innovative practices that align with social distancing protocols. Applicants must demonstrate that the requested training supports the safe re-opening of the service or business. The application deadline is March 31, 2021.
Reducing Employees' Work Hours
Federal Government's Work-Sharing (WS) temporary special measures, implemented to support employers and workers affected by COVID-19:
Public Health Emergency Leave
The Public Health Emergency Leave is for employees required to isolate themselves or care for someone during a public health emergency.
Bill 207 – The Saskatchewan Employment Act
Support to Manage Your Workforce
- The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) will cover up to 75 per cent of an employee's wages for qualifying eligible employers, with this subsidy rate in effect until March 13, 2021. The wage subsidy supports you to keep and re-hire your employees and avoid layoffs. The CEWS is available until June 2021.
Laying-off Employees
The Saskatchewan Employment Act and Labour Relations & Workplace Safety (LRWS):
Public Emergency Layoffs
Employers can issue layoffs as part of their response to a public emergency during an order of the chief medical health officer or an emergency declaration by the Government of Saskatchewan.
Employers do not have to provide notice or pay instead of notice for layoffs that occur during and for up to two weeks after a public emergency period. The additional two weeks are provided for employers and employees to prepare for the employees to return to work.
Employment Insurance (EI) Benefits
For more information about EI options available for employees, visit:
Or, contact the Government of Canada:
Employer Contact Centre
Toll-free: 1-800-367-5693
TTY: 1-855-881-9874
Sickness Benefits: sick and/or quarantined with COVID-19
1-833-381-2725 (toll-free)
Temporary Foreign Workers
Guidance for employers of Temporary Foreign Workers regarding COVID-19.
Other Resources
If you need additional support, the Ministry of Immigration and Career Training COVID-19 Business Response Team is available to assist you from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday to Friday.
Email: supportforbusiness@gov.sk.ca
Toll-free: 1-844-800-8688