The Working for Workers Six Act 2024 reforms the Employment Standards Act to include additional support to the safety and wellbeing of workers and their families.
The Act includes the implementation of a 27-week long-term illness leave for employees who are unable to work due to a serious medical condition as defined by a medical practitioner.
As of June 19, 2025, the long term illness leave is in effect and should be noted by employers to anticipate how they will manage these new changes. This Ontario Provincial leave is among the longest in Canada and ensures workers with serious medical conditions have time away from work to receive treatment and focus on their recovery.
The Leave provides an employee who has been employed by the employer for at least 13 consecutive weeks with an unpaid leave of absence for up to 27 weeks should the employee be unable to perform their duties due to a serious medical condition. The employee must provide a medical certificate issued by a qualified medical practitioner to their employer stating that the employee has a serious medical condition. The certificate must outline the period of time in which the employee will not be able to perform their job duties . In part, employees are not required to take these 27 weeks consecutively. Therefore, employers should anticipate and plan how they will manage non-consequential time off if their employees require leave and ensure employment policies are up-to-date and in compliance.
At S+C Partners, we’re committed to supporting your business.
Staying informed about current, emerging, and proposed employment agreements and policies is essential, no matter the size of your business or the industry you operate in. At S+C Partners, our in-house HR team includes a Certified Human Resources Professional and Leader, with expertise in employee relations, organizational development, health and safety, training, and performance management.
If you have any questions about how this change may impact your employment policies or compliance obligations, please contact our HR team directly at 905-593-1016 or email us at hr@scpllp.com.
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