New Employment Standards Act in Effect

PEI Employers: A reminder that the new Employment Standards Act came into effect in June 30, 2026.

If you haven't done so, now is the time to review the changes to ensure they reflect the current legislation.

Some of the key changes under the new Act include:

• Introducing up to 27 weeks of job-protected, unpaid medical leave

• Increasing unpaid sick leave from three to four days per year

• Limiting employer requests for sick notes to absences of five or more consecutive days and expanding the range of qualified health professionals who can provide them

• Reducing the maximum work week from 48 hours to 44 hours

• Updated termination provisions and enforcement mechanisms

• Requiring employers to provide work schedules at least one week in advance, except in extenuating circumstances

• Extending sick leave provisions to unionized employees

For more information on the changes click on https://princeedwardisland.ca/NewEmploymentStandards

If you have questions about the how the new legislation may affect your workplace, contact the Labour and Industrial Relations office by phone at 902-368-5550 or toll free at 1-800-333-4362.