Caregiving Corner: Welcome news for working family caregivers
By Medicine Hat News on January 19, 2018.
More and more employees are facing increased stress when trying to fit in the demands of the responsibilities of work with caring for aging parents and other seriously ill family members. The stress increases even more when it becomes necessary to make the difficult choice between working and becoming a full-time family caregiver. Up until Jan. 1, there was no legislated job protection if an employee needed to take a leave from work to be with a loved one who is seriously or critically ill, or expected to die within 26 weeks. In June 2017, the Fair and Family-friendly Workplaces Act was passed and starting Jan. 1, there are new unpaid job-protected leaves and now you are guaranteed to have a job to return to after following the eligibility and responsibilities of one of the new protected leaves. Personal and Family Responsibility Leave — up to five days unpaid leave when it’s required for the health of the employee or to tend to the responsibilities related to a family member. Critical Illness Leave — a 36-week leave if caring for a child, and 16 week leave if caring for an adult. This leave requires a medical certificate that states the ill person requires the care of the employee, along with the start and end date of the time period of needed support. Compassionate Care Leave — a maximum 27-week leave that may be taken for employees required to care or support a seriously ill family member or when an employee’s family member is at significant risk of dying within 26 weeks. A medical certificate must be provided and verify the medical condition and/or the risk of dying within 26 weeks. With the population age 65 and over expected to double within the next 15-20 years, coupled with fewer family and professional caregivers to care for them, it is critical that we start looking for solutions. We can’t rely solely on private or public services. This will take at least a three-prong approach — government, employers and community. It’s imperative to be realistic about the importance that employees have flexibility to provide care; the shift of caregiving responsibilities and stress to family due to aging in place strategies; the impact on government budgets; and the benefits to employers of finding ways to retain valuable employees while being flexible, and without an impact to the overall bottom line. For additional information about eligibility and responsibilities of the new unpaid job protected leaves, please call 1-877-427-3731 or go to the website albert.ca/ESchanges Lorna Scott is a caregiver strategist, a member of the Caregiver Coalition of Southeast Alberta and The Caregiver’s Lighthouse; and is author of the best selling book “Walking the Journey Together É Alone.” She may be contacted at Lorna@TheCaregiversLighthouse.com or 403-548-8437 10-9
