COVID-19 Job-Protected Leave Extended to 42 Weeks

Summary#

The Regulations Amending the Canada Labour Standards Regulations increase the maximum job‑protected leave related to COVID‑19 under the Canada Labour Code to 42 weeks. The change came into force on June 24, 2021 and was made to match an extension of federal recovery benefits.

What it does#

• Changes the COVID‑19‑related leave available under the Canada Labour Code for employees in the federally regulated private sector to a maximum of 42 weeks.
• Aligns that leave with the extended entitlement for the Canada Recovery Benefit and the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (both increased to 42 weeks under separate regulations).
• The amendment took effect on the day the regulation was registered (June 24, 2021).

Who's affected#

• Employees of employers in the federally regulated private sector (for example, banks, telecommunications, airlines, some pipelines and interprovincial transport) who need leave to care for someone or for COVID‑19 reasons.
• Employers in those sectors, who may need to cover work when staff take the extra leave.
• This change is meant to work alongside income supports administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (the CRB and CRCB), so people using those benefits are indirectly involved.

Why it matters#

• It keeps people’s jobs protected for a longer period if they must stay home because of COVID‑19 caregiving needs.
• It prevents a mismatch where someone could have income support (CRB/CRCB) but no job protection, or vice versa.
• For employers, it may mean more absences to manage and some extra short‑term costs to cover work.
• For workers and families, it reduces the risk of losing income or employment while caregiving during the pandemic.