The Saskatchewan Government has amended The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020 ("2020 OHS Regulations") to allow workers paid time off in order to receive the COVID-19 vaccination.
Pursuant to a Government of Saskatchewan news release dated March 18, 2021, the new section 6-22.1 of the 2020 OHS Regulations provides the following:
- Workers are entitled to three consecutive hours leave during work hours to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.
- Workers are entitled to more than three consecutive hours if the employer determines the circumstances warrant a longer break from work.
- Workers do not lose any pay or other benefits while receiving a COVID-19 vaccination.
The amendments are stated to come into force on March 18, 2021. However, the 2020 OHS Regulations as a whole do not come into force until April 1, 2020.
We will continue to monitor for further information regarding the COVID-19 vaccination leave and provide an update once the legislation is released by the Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety.
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