BACKGROUNDER
2006LCS0017-001288 Oct. 31, 2006	Ministry of Labour and Citizens' Services
ELIGIBILITY FOR COMPASSIONATE CARE LEAVE

B.C.’s definition of family member for the purpose of compassionate care leave is ‘immediate family’ and any individual who is a member of a prescribed class. ‘Immediate Family’ is defined in the Employment Standards Act as the spouse, child, parent, guardian, sibling, grandchild or grandparent of an employee, and any person who lives with an employee as a member of the employee’s family. This includes same-gender and common-law spouses.

 

In addition to the definition of ‘immediate family,’ eligible relationships now also include:

 

• In relation to the employee: step-sibling, aunt or uncle, niece or nephew, current or former foster parent or foster child, current or former ward or guardian, as well as the spouse of those individuals and the spouse of those included in the definition of immediate family.

 

• In relation to the employee’s spouse: parent or step-parent, sibling or step-sibling, child, grandparent, grandchild, aunt or uncle, niece or nephew, current or former foster parent, current or former ward.

 

• Any individual with a serious medical condition as outlined in the compassionate care leave legislation who considers the employee to be, or whom the employee considers to be, like a close relative.

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Media contact:	Barb Wright Communications Director Ministry of Labour and Citizens’ Services 250 387-2699
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