COVID-19 Unpaid Leave Policy (All jurisdictions except Ontario)

A template for creating a legally compliant COVID leave policy.

Since the pandemic began, all but 2 jurisdictions (Northwest Territories and Nunavut) have revised their employment standards laws to give employees unpaid leave for absences due to COVID-19. The idea is to ensure that getting sick, slammed into self-isolation or shut in to care for a homebound child didn’t cost employees their jobs. As with other leaves of absence, it’s important for organizations to implement a written HR policy outlining how COVID leave works. Here’s a template you can adapt. NOTE: If you’re in Ontario, use the Infectious Disease Emergency Leave Policy template instead of this version.