Sick Leave

After three months continuous service with an employer, an employee is entitled to unpaid leaves of absence of up to three days for sick leave during a twelve-month period. If the employee takes three consecutive days, the employer may ask for a medical certificate.

Effective 1 October 2010, employees who have more than five years of continuous service with the same employer are entitled to one day of paid sick leave and up to three days of unpaid sick leave each calendar year.

As of October 1, 2024, in addition to the unpaid leave available to employees, employees will also be entitled to paid sick leave based on the following:

  • One day of paid sick leave after 12 months of continuous employment
  • Two days of paid sick leave after 24 months of continuous employment
  • Three days of paid sick leave after 36 months of continuous employment.

Once an employee is entitled to paid leave, it shall be given before unpaid leave. 

For paid sick leave, employees are entitled to receive their regular rate of wages for the hours they would have worked if they had not requested the leave, or if they are a salaried employee, their regular rate of pay for a day of work.

Who can I contact for more information about paid holidays?

Hazel Walsh-Scott (Office Coordinator)
Sherwood Business Centre
161 St. Peters Road, 2nd Floor 
PO Box 2000, Charlottetown, PE  C1A 7N8
Phone: 902-368-5550
Toll Free: 1-800-333-4362
Fax: 902-368-5476
Email: hawalshscott@gov.pe.ca

This information is meant to serve as a guide only.  The reader is strongly advised to consult the Employment Standards Act to view the legislation. Where any difference exists between this information and the Act, the Act will be considered correct.
Published date: 
June 6, 2024
Workforce, Advanced Learning and Population

General Inquiries

Labour and Industrial Relations
161 St. Peters Road
PO Box 2000
Charlottetown, PE C1A 7N8
Phone: 902-368-5550
Toll-free: 1-800-333-4362
Fax: 902-368-5476

hawalshscott@gov.pe.ca