New moms and dads will get more time to spend with their newborns without risking their jobs, as will parents grieving the death of a child or enduring a child who’s gone missing as a result of a crime.
Monday, Harry Bains, B.C.’s minister of labour, introduced amendments to the provincial employment standards act that would extend maternity leave to 13 weeks prior to the expected arrival of a new baby, two more than the current 11 weeks.
New parents will also be able to extend their unpaid leave to allow a new birth mom up to 18 months of total leave, in line with new federal employment insurance maternity and parental benefits.
The amendments also include job protection for up to 104 weeks of unpaid leave for parents dealing with the death of a child under 19 years of age, as well as new protections for up to 52 weeks of unpaid leave for parents coping with a missing child because of a criminal act. Currently, the province has no provision, beyond regular bereavement leave, in its employment standards for protected leave in those circumstances. If a missing child is found, the parent can remain on leave for up to 14 days afterward.
Compassionate care leave for workers who have to care for a family member who is terminally ill is also being extended from eight to 27 weeks.
“These amendments are about supporting B.C. workers and extending compassion to families who face tragic circumstances,” Bains said in a press release. “It will not erase the pain experienced during a personal or family crisis, but it can help ease the worry and stress over job security.”
