Sick Leave
Effective October 1, 2024
Unpaid 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.
Paid Sick Leave
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.
Reset Period
An employee's entitlement to paid sick leave resets every twelve-month period. This may either be based on the calendar year, or another twelve-month period selected by employer, such as the employer's fiscal year. Employers should communicate with their employees when the reset period is for sick leave. There is no requirement to allow unused paid sick leave days to be carried forward into the next twelve-month period.
Medical Certificate
If the employee takes three consecutive days, the employer may ask for a medical certificate. Employers are not permitted to request medical certificates for a single day of absence.
Prior to October 1, 2024
From October 1, 2010, to September 30, 2024, employees who had 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.
Who can I contact for more information about sick leave?
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