On November 27, 2025, Bill 30 – Employment Standards (Serious Illness or Injury Leave) Amendment Act, 2025, received royal assent. Under this legislation, employees in BC are now entitled to up to 27 weeks of unpaid leave, within a 52-week period, if they are unable to work due to a serious personal illness or injury.
For details on this new type of unpaid leave, refer to the Institute's Late Breaking Payroll News published on our website on October 22, 2025.
Employers should:
- Review and update leave policies,
- Communicate the new leave provisions to managers, supervisors, and employees so they understand eligibility, documentation requirements, and the process for requesting leave,
- Train HR and payroll personnel; and
- Ensure the HR and payroll systems are updated to track and administer this leave.