Photo by Whitehorse Star
Economic Development Minister Ranj Pillai
Paid Sick Leave Rebate program extended
The Yukon government is extending the Paid Sick Leave Rebate program until March 31, 2023, it was announced today.
The Yukon government is extending the Paid Sick Leave Rebate program until March 31, 2023, it was announced today.
The program had originally been set to conclude on Sept. 30.
It provides up to 10 days’ wages for workers and self-employed individuals who have contracted COVID-19 and do not have access to paid sick days.
“The purpose of this extension is to provide a continued safety net for Yukoners over the coming winter,” the government said in a statement.
“Reducing the threat of financial losses will make it easier for workers to make the decision to stay home when they are sick.”
All eligible Yukon employers and self-employed individuals may apply.
As of Aug. 17, about 2,300 Yukoners from more than 400 businesses have accessed the Paid Sick Leave Rebate program, the government said.
The rebate is available to employers and self-employed individuals.
It covers a maximum of 10 days of wages per employee or 10 days of average daily earnings per self-employed individual to allow for a 14-day self-isolation period.
This extension does not provide additional sick days, but it will extend the use of paid sick days remaining from the previous 10-day allocation.
“Extending the Paid Sick Leave Rebate program gives Yukoners the flexibility to ensure that they and their families remain healthy and safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19,” said Economic Development Minister Ranj Pillai.
“This program has provided much-needed support to people across the territory throughout the pandemic, and I am pleased that we can extend this service and offer financial relief to those who need it most.”
This is the fourth intake of the program since it was launched in March 2020.
“Yukoners have been very clear that they want and need permanent paid sick leave,” said NDP MLA Emily Tredger.
“Unfortunately, the Liberals are giving us temporary measures that only work for some people and that are hard to navigate for employers.
“Lots of the front-line workers that are so critical to our economy don’t have paid sick leave,” Tredger added.
“It’s a matter of fairness and it’s a matter of public health.
“The consultation has already been done by the Making Work Safe panel, and the results were clear. Now, the Liberals need to take action.”
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Comments (10)
Up 4 Down 0
Liberalism is disease on Sep 26, 2022 at 6:35 pm
Dear Jayne on Sep 24, 2022 at 9:48 am:
I feel the same way about the Covid shots, gender reassignment/ideology, and the Climate Change hoaxing. The Liberals should foot the bill from their own financial reserves for this shyt - No individual should have to pay for the abuse they are getting from these Liberals.
Up 11 Down 0
Jayne on Sep 24, 2022 at 9:48 am
While I agree this program IS easy to use, I disagree with tax payers footing the bill. Employers are desperate to keep workers right now, so try when negotiating your employment say you want 5 sick days a year or whatever. I realize some franchises cannot do this but many private places can. They do weigh the pros and cons.....come in sick and wipe out your whole team, or let you get over the contagious part by paying you.
Up 5 Down 6
RB on Sep 23, 2022 at 4:22 pm
@ joe
We just had an election, remember? You lost (again)
Up 0 Down 4
Jim B on Sep 23, 2022 at 1:59 pm
10 Days over 3 years.. that sounds pretty close to the amount of sick leave YG employees get.
Up 10 Down 11
@Yukoner on Sep 23, 2022 at 11:39 am
@Yukoner, the program is quite easy to use as an employer, employee is sick 2 days, employee paid 2 days and employer submits to gov't. Then employee is sick 5 days, employee paid 5 days and employer submits to gov't. Employee sick 3 days employee is paid and employer submits. It can be split up to equal the 10 days. Not alot of red tape to submit, unless our employer is fibbing to you and making it a big deal when it is not. This rebate is for being sick not just the Covid.
Up 11 Down 6
Max Mack on Sep 23, 2022 at 12:02 am
2,300 Yukoners have taken advantage of this program?
Let's lowball the average weekly earnings of Yukoners to err on the side of caution. Let's assume workers earn $1,000 per week (actual average weekly earnings is over $1,200). Most workers have a 5-day week. So, average daily earnings is about $1,000/5 = $200.
2,300 x 10 days x $200 = $4.6 million to-date. This does not include the costs of administering the program.
Will taxes or other fees be increased to cover this? What programs or services will be foregone to fund this program?
Up 6 Down 7
There must be more on Sep 22, 2022 at 10:39 pm
Yeah , let’s make sick leave a priority. Reach for the stars!
Up 15 Down 6
Joe on Sep 22, 2022 at 5:16 pm
“ now the liberals need to take action” we all agree ! Call an election!
Up 48 Down 14
Juniper Jackson on Sep 22, 2022 at 3:57 pm
The 3 levels of government have beat the covid issue mercilessly. Someone tell them the horse is dead.
Up 36 Down 9
Yukoner on Sep 22, 2022 at 1:11 pm
Useless program, can only be taken in one or two chunks. Not very helpful when you are a parent who has to be home with your children 5-10 different times over a school year. And a lot of red tape to submit.
As usual with this government a great kick back for some but doesn't actually address the real world need for most.