Changes would bring definition of family member in line with federal law
Soon more Nova Scotians won't have to choose between their jobs or caring for a dying loved one, if the public supports the province's proposal to expand its compassionate care legislation.
Under the current legislation, an employee can apply for up to eight weeks of unpaid leave to care for a gravely ill family member, defined as a spouse or common law partner, child or step child, parent or parent-in-law.
The legislation protects the employee's job and the employee can apply for the federal compassionate care employment insurance benefit that provides up to six weeks of EI.
The province has proposed changes to the Labour Standards Code to bring the definition of family member, for the purposes of the compassionate care leave, in line with the new federal definition.
Last year, the federal government expanded the definition of family member to also include siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, in-laws, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, foster parents, wards, guardians, or a gravely ill person who considers the employee to be like a family member.
No changes will be made to the legislation until after reviewing the public consultations. The province has released a discussion paper titled "Enhancing Compassionate Care Leave", available online at www.gov.ns.ca/enla.
Under the current legislation, an employee can apply for up to eight weeks of unpaid leave to care for a gravely ill family member, defined as a spouse or common law partner, child or step child, parent or parent-in-law.
The legislation protects the employee's job and the employee can apply for the federal compassionate care employment insurance benefit that provides up to six weeks of EI.
The province has proposed changes to the Labour Standards Code to bring the definition of family member, for the purposes of the compassionate care leave, in line with the new federal definition.
Last year, the federal government expanded the definition of family member to also include siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, in-laws, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, foster parents, wards, guardians, or a gravely ill person who considers the employee to be like a family member.
No changes will be made to the legislation until after reviewing the public consultations. The province has released a discussion paper titled "Enhancing Compassionate Care Leave", available online at www.gov.ns.ca/enla.
