Significant amendments to the Saskatchewan Employment Act are now in force. These updates focus on protecting employee earnings, modernizing sick leave, and streamlining healthcare administrative requirements.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!1. New Protections for Tips and Gratuities
Until now, Saskatchewan lacked specific legislation regarding tips. Under the new rules:
- Ownership: Tips are now legally defined as the property of the employee.
- Prohibition on Deductions: Employers are forbidden from withholding tips or using them to cover business costs (like breakages or “dine and dashes”).
- Enforcement: Unpaid tips are now treated as “wages owing,” allowing employees to use provincial labor standards to recover missing funds.
2. Sick Leave & Medical Note Modernization
To reduce pressure on doctors and provide better job security, the rules for taking time off have changed:
- The “5-Day Rule”: Employers can no longer demand a doctor’s note unless an employee is absent for more than five consecutive days.
- Extended Job Protection: For serious or long-term illnesses, job-protected leave has been extended to 27 weeks (up from 12 weeks). This change ensures employees can access the full duration of federal EI sickness benefits without fear of losing their position.
3. Expanded Personal & Bereavement Leaves
The definition of “family” and the timeline for taking leave have been modernized:
- Bereavement: Employees now have a six-month window to use their leave, recognizing that ceremonies or travel often happen long after a passing. Coverage now includes pregnancy loss and “family-like” relationships.
- Interpersonal Violence Leave: A new 16-week unpaid leave has been added to support survivors of domestic or sexual violence, providing time for relocation or legal matters.
- Pregnancy Loss: Maternity leave eligibility has been expanded for those who experience a loss within 20 weeks of their due date.
Summary Table
| Feature | Old Rule | New Rule (2026) |
| Tips | Unregulated | Legally belong to the employee |
| Doctor’s Note | Often required for 1-2 days | Only required after 5+ days |
| Serious Illness Leave | 12 Weeks | 27 Weeks |
| Bereavement Window | One week | Six months |
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