COVID-19 rules continue to change quickly. In a previous blog, we indicated that the paid Infectious Disease Emergency Leave (IDEL) would come to an end on July 31, 2022, the deemed IDEL would end on July 30, 2022, and the voluntary IDEL would continue so long as the circumstances leading to an employee’s leave continue and COVID-19 is designated as an infectious disease. Though the end date of the deemed IDEL remains the same and the voluntary IDEL continues to have no set end date, the Ontario government has once again extended the paid IDEL to March 31, 2023. Specifically, on July 21, 2022, the Ontario government filed O. Reg. 464/22: Infectious Disease Emergency Leave, which amends O. Reg. 228/20: Infectious Disease Emergency Leave, by extending Ontario’s paid IDEL days until March 31, 2023.
Refresher – What is the paid IDEL?
Under this IDEL, employees can receive up to $200 a day for up to three days for reasons related to COVID-19. Employees are generally entitled to what they would have earned had they worked and not taken the leave, up to this $200 daily maximum amount.
Those employees whose wages are in any way based on performance, such as commission, are entitled to the greater of (1) their hourly rate; and (2) the applicable minimum wage, for the amount of work time missed due to being on paid IDEL.
Fortunately, employers providing their employees with this paid leave can be reimbursed by applying to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board within (1) 120 days of the date they pay the employee; or (2) by July 29, 2023, whichever is earlier. Employers can be reimbursed up to $200 per day per employee.
Get in Touch!
Have questions about an employee off on an IDEL or COVID-19-related workplace requirements? Please get in touch for a one-on-one consultation with one of our lawyers.
Want to make sure your workplace policies and contracts are up to date and following current legal requirements? Check out our DIY legal resources: Workplace Law Bundle or New Employer Toolkit.
