Share
Benefits for Workers – COVID-19
Anyone else tired of trying to keep up with the ever-changing government programs for employers? We are lucky to have access to such fiscal programs, but many employers are feeling the fatigue that comes with trying to stay apprised of the changes and the various eligibility requirements.
The Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) has recently been phased out and it had been providing Canadians with $500-per-week. In its place, the Federal Government has approved a new program which aims to provide workers, impacted by the pandemic, with what is said to be flexible and generous employment insurance regime. It will also be paired with distinct recovery benefits for those workers who will not qualify for EI. The Bill also creates a new sick leave benefit and another new caregiver benefit for those forced to take time off work to care for a dependent because of the pandemic.
At the urging of the NDP, the current government increased the proposed new benefits to $500 per week from the originally proposed $400, ensuring no one receives less than they were getting under the CERB.
It has also expanded the eligibility criteria for the sick leave benefit so that it applies not just to individuals who contract COVID-19 but also to those with underlying health conditions or other illnesses, including the flu or the common cold, that makes them more susceptible to becoming more ill if they contract the Coronavirus.
More information on this new program can be found on the Government of Canada website, search terms: “After CERB transitioning to new benefits”.
Charlene Cleary is the principal and founding lawyer of Westshore Law in Victoria. Serving clients on Vancouver Island and the mainland, she enjoys helping other business owners work through existing issues and also to help prevent future problems.
www.westshorelaw.ca
STAY IN THE LOOP
Subscribe to our free newsletter.
Personality assessments can give us the final green light we need when hiring new talent, or they can help to solidify why a team member hasn’t been meshing with the rest of the team and potentially needs to be let go.
Employees will gain new rights to information which should help them learn more about the pay offered for a job when they first consider applying. But the new rules will prove impractical for some employers and may not ultimately provide much useful pay information for some job postings.
An Employee Handbook creates clear expectations, a communication and training tool, reduces legal risks and promotes trust among employees.
As businesses grow and evolve, there is often a shift from traditional management structures to more inclusive and collaborative leadership models.
