Disappearance of a Child Leave

If an employee's child goes missing and it's likely due to a crime, the employee can take up to 52 weeks of unpaid leave to deal with the situation.

• However, if the employee is charged with a crime related to the child's disappearance, they are no longer entitled to this leave.

The leave must be taken within 53 weeks of the child's disappearance and can be taken in one go or split up with the employer's permission.

The leave ends if:

• the child is found,

• if the circumstances indicate that the disappearance is not due to a crime, or

• if the employee is charged with a crime related to the disappearance.

Death of a Child Leave

If an employee's child dies, the employee can take up to 104 weeks of unpaid leave to deal with the situation.

If the employee is charged with a crime related to the child's death, they are no longer entitled to this leave.

The leave must be taken within 105 weeks of the child's death or discovery of the child's body (if the child went missing before death).

The leave can be taken in one go or split up with the employer's permission.

The leave ends if the employee is charged with a crime related to the child's death or if the employer doesn't consent to the split-up leave.

The employee must provide sufficient proof to the employer if requested.

BC Employment Standards Act s.