B.C. extends temporary layoff provision to a maximum of 24 weeks

July 9, 2020

The province has extended the temporary layoff provision to a maximum of 24 weeks ending on Aug. 30, B.C. labour minister Harry Bains announced Thursday.

The move comes after a meeting between Bains, premier John Horgan and B.C. business associations who are worried that an end to the temporary layoff period would make COVID-19-related temporary layoffs permanent – thus forcing companies to pay severance and take another major financial hit.

“We heard loud and clear from employers that they need this extension,” Bains said in a statement, but added Thursday’s extension is meant to work in conjunction with Section 72 of the B.C. Employment Standards Act – which puts the onus on business owners to work with employees to extend temporary layoffs in a joint application.

Source: Vancouver Is Awesome