10 days paid sick leave could be more costly than beneficial, experts say

[Anonymous]

As the federal government discusses the possibility of implementing 10 paid sick days for workers across Canada amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, experts caution that doing so could be more costly than beneficial.



Lior Samfiru, an employment lawyer and co-founding partner at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, said the federal government "can't actually do anything," because most of the country's employees are governed provincially.



"So really it would be up to the provincial government to implement this," he explained.



And Samfiru said while the provincial government can mandate it, the program's associated costs would ultimately fall to employers.



It seems to me that with the current economic situations and businesses struggling, (trying) to impose another obligation like that on an employer could be problematic," he said.



Samfiru said employers are going to have to find that money somewhere, meaning they may be forced to make cuts to their employees' existing benefits or pay.

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/money/other/10-days-paid-sick-leave-could-be-more-costly-than-beneficial-experts-say/ar-BB14Dk5U?li=AAgh0dA&ocid=mailsignout">https://www.msn.com/en-ca/money/other/1 ... ailsignout">https://www.msn.com/en-ca/money/other/10-days-paid-sick-leave-could-be-more-costly-than-beneficial-experts-say/ar-BB14Dk5U?li=AAgh0dA&ocid=mailsignout



Even in good times, this would be expensive for business owners. What employees gain in paid sick days, they would lose in other benefits, pay or reduced hours and number of employees.



Provincial and federal governments should offer incentives. If there were tax incentives, employers could offer this benefit without making cuts to employee pay and benefits.

[Anonymous]

As a provincial civil servant, I have paid sick days..



But, it would be nearly impossible for a small business owner to offer the same without cutting costs or raising prices.

[Anonymous]

Trudeau cannot just legislate small business operators across Canada to pay for something they cannot afford without repercussions even if he had the right to interfere in provincial jurisdiction.

[Anonymous]

Trudeau cannot just legislate small business operators across Canada to pay for something they cannot afford without repercussions even if he had the right to interfere in provincial jurisdiction.

He can push premiers to implement this, but he cannot force them to do it. He will need incentives either to provinces or to business owners themselves through the tax system if this going to be standard across Canada.

[Anonymous]

Believe it or not, unionized employees at CP do not get paid sick leave. Our Sun Life short term disability allows us to get paid for illnesses more than three days long.

[Anonymous]

Fuck, True Dope is generous with other people's money and careless with small business.

[Anonymous]

Fuck, True Dope is generous with other people's money and careless with small business.

It seems like any legislation he passes will not be legally binding on provinces.

[Thiel]

As an employer, I cannot afford this without making cuts elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

As an employer, I cannot afford this without making cuts elsewhere.

Or making your employees more productive.