Compassionate care and bereavement leave in Nova Scotia may be extended

Working Nova Scotians may soon have their jobs protected for longer periodsif they take time off to look after a sick family member.

A government bill tabled Thursday in the Nova Scotia legislatureallows for 28 weeks offinstead of the current eight-week protection.

Labour Minister Kelly Regan says the change will allow family members to concentrate on caring for sick loved oneswithout having to worry about losing their jobs.

"These Labour Standards Code changes offer protection that families hope they'll never have to use but that will mean the world to them if these code changes are actually needed," she said. "They'll let families focus on what's important during difficult timeseach other."

According to the minister, Nova Scotia wouldbecome the first province to align their provincial lawwith federal labour legislation.

Beyond parents, spouses and children

The leave is granted when a family is dealing with a person who is seriously ill. A doctor must also deem that person may die within six months. To qualify for leave, a doctor's certificate is required.

The bill also extends the minimum amount of time someone can be off because of the death of a close family member.
Currently, if a spouse, parent or child dies, an employee gets up to three consecutive days off in bereavement leave.

That also applies to a immediate in-law, a grandparent, grandchild, brother or sister.

Other family members are currentlyonly entitled to a day off. When the changes come into effect, the five-day bereavement period will apply to the death of all family members.

If the bill passes this fall, the changes will take effect Jan. 3, which is when the federal law takes effect.