Employment Standards Public Emergency Provisions
Employment Standards will be hosting webinars to provide Saskatchewan businesses with information about newly introduced Public Health Emergency Leave and Public Emergency Layoffs provisions.
The webinars are offered through GoToWebinar, an online software service that uses your computer's internet browser. GoToWebinar will automatically download the required software onto your device when you register.
You have two options to listen to the webinar audio:
1. Use your computer's audio – When the webinar begins, you will be connected to audio using your computer's speakers or headset (VOIP).
2. Use your telephone – Your confirmation email will contain more information about using your telephone, including the call-in numbers.
Monday, March 30 @ 1:30 p.m. Register Here
Wednesday, April 1 @ 1:30 p.m. Register Here
Friday, April 3 @ 1:30 p.m. Register Here
Or, view a previously recorded webinar:
March 26, 10:00 a.m.
March 26, 2:00 p.m.
March 27, 10:00 a.m.
Information to help businesses manage staffing and leave due to COVID-19.
Rapid Response services and the Employer Services Branch of the Ministry of Immigration and Career Training (ICT)
Provide 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
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
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 will occur for a maximum of 12 weeks in a 16-week period. The 16-week period begins on the first day of the interruption of work. Once a layoff exceeds 12 weeks within the 16-week period from when the layoff started and the employee is not reinstated, pay instead of notice is due.
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)
Other Resources
If you need additional support, the Ministry of Trade and Export Development COVID-19 Business Response Team is available to assist you from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday to Friday.
Email: supportforbusiness@gov.sk.ca
Toll-free: 1-844-800-8688