Employers and workers who need to extend temporary layoffs due to COVID-19 can more easily apply for a variance using the Employment Standards Branch’s new online application.

In June, government extended the time period for temporary layoffs related to COVID-19 to a maximum of 24 weeks, expiring on Aug. 30, 2020. This is expanded from 16 weeks, to give employers and workers more flexibility.

The new online application simplifies and streamlines the process for employers and workers to jointly apply for an extension beyond Aug. 30 by eliminating the need for hardcopy documents and signatures, while ensuring the integrity of the branch’s decision-making process.

Government engaged with stakeholders, including small businesses, to test the online process to make it as simple as possible to support B.C.’s workplaces in economic recovery.

Employers are encouraged to apply as soon as they have received worker support. An application deadline of Aug. 25, 2020, has been set to ensure that all applications will be processed by the Aug. 30 expiry date.

There are now two steps. Employers must:

• Survey their workforce to obtain more than 50% support from workers before applying. Workers will receive information about the variance, including what their rights are and can provide their support using a new online response tool;
• Once worker support is documented, employers complete the online form and submit the document in a new portal directly to the Employment Standards Branch.
• There are new supportive templates and tools to assist employers and workers in taking these steps.

Under B.C.’s Employment Standards Act, temporary layoffs related to COVID-19 can last up to 24 weeks, or until Aug. 30, before the layoff becomes permanent. Government recommends that employers submit their variance applications early to avoid the potential of permanent staff layoffs and compensation for length of service to eligible workers upon the expiry of the COVID-19 emergency layoff period on Aug. 30.

BC’s Restart Plan is supporting business to safely reopen and get people back to work.

Employers are also encouraged to make use of the federal wage subsidy to assist them in bringing their workers back.

Learn More:

Visit the updated website for temporary layoff variance applications:
www.gov.bc.ca/covidlayoffs

For information on employment standards around temporary layoffs, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/employment-standards-advice/employment-standards/hours/variances

Learn more about B.C.’s economic recovery planning: http://gov.bc.ca/recoveryideas

For information about BC’s Restart Plan, visit: http://gov.bc.ca/restartbc