Year-End Wrap: Paid Sick Days Progress in the US & Ontario

As we approach the end of 2024, we wanted to share some of the progress made across the U.S. and Canada in the fight for permanent paid sick days. Here’s a look at the key developments this year! 

Paid Sick Days Victories in the United States

This year we saw significant victories in the U.S. as voters in Alaska, Missouri, and Nebraska passed state ballot initiatives granting paid sick leave. In Nebraska, 74% of voters supported the initiative, signaling overwhelming support for paid sick days. Connecticut also made strides earlier this year by expanding paid sick days for those previously excluded under existing laws. It is clear that more and more jurisdictions are realizing that paid sick days are good public health policy. It’s past time for Ontario to catch up and legislate 10 paid sick days for all workers.

Ontario’s 27-week Job-Protected Illness Leave 

Meanwhile, in Ontario, the Working for Workers’ Act 6 introduced a 27-week job-protected long-term illness leave last month. While it is a step forward, it falls short of delivering real protections for workers. The eligibility requirements are stricter than those for federal EI Sickness Benefits. while the federal program only requires proof that a worker is unable to work due to illness or injury, the provincial leave will require medical practitioners to certify that a worker has a “serious medical condition.” This higher threshold leaves many patients, especially those in precarious, low-wage work, unable to access the benefits they need without risking job loss. 

Healthcare providers are also faced with increased administrative burdens as they navigate this unclear benchmark. A streamlined evidentiary and documentation standard that matches EI sickness benefits would help avoid confusion and reduce unnecessary administrative burdens on health workers involved in providing documentation. Read our submission to the Ministry of Labour on what a long-term personal illness leave should look like.

Sick Notes No Longer Required for Unpaid Sick Leave

Ontario’s Working for Workers’ Act 5 now prevents employers from requiring sick notes for Ontario’s three unpaid sick days. But the reality is that 61.5% of workers in Ontario still lack access to paid sick leave. Under current Ontario Employment Standards, workers can only take up to three unpaid sick days. Patients who work without paid sick days—especially those in low-wage, essential jobs—are forced to choose between working while sick or losing income.

Ontario can better protect the health of workers by legislating 10 employer-paid sick days so that workers can afford to stay home when sick.