As of May 23rd, 2021, everyone in Ontario aged 12 and over is eligible to book an appointment online to receive a vaccination against COVID-19 through the provincial vaccination booking website. Many appointment slots are also being reposted via Vax Hunters Canada, including at drop-in vaccination clinics. It’s also become possible for vulnerable residents and seniors in Toronto to request a ride to a vaccination site. Finally, the province is making second doses available much earlier than was previously planned. We strongly encourage you to get a vaccination as soon as it’s possible to do so.
If you have any questions or encounter any difficulty when requesting time off for vaccination, requesting sick leave as a result of vaccination, or protecting yourself from overwork after taking time off, please contact your Union rep at servicing@cupe3902.org.
Time Off on the Day of Vaccination
All U of T employees are allowed to take time away from work to receive vaccination. Employees whose vaccinations take place during a regular workday or shift will not lose wages and will not be required to take vacation, sick leave, or any other leave. As a CUPE 3902 member, you should inform your direct supervisor, chair, PI, or department head if you require time during your regular workday or relief from scheduled duties to receive your vaccination.
Sick Days: Short-Term Sick Leave after Vaccination
If you experience side effects after your COVID-19 vaccination, paid sick leave from work that cannot be rescheduled may be available to you under your Collective Agreement. The amount of sick days you’re entitled to is specified below. This time may be lengthened via the COVID-19 Worker Income Protection Benefit (more details in the last section):
- Unit 1 and Unit 3 members who are paid by hour are eligible for up to three days’ paid sick leave per academic session. Unit 1 and Unit 3 members who are paid by stipend (such as by FCE) are eligible for up to six or eight days’ paid sick leave, respectively, per academic session.
- Unit 2 members who are paid by hour are eligible for up to three days’ paid sick leave per academic session. Unit 2 members who are paid by stipend are eligible for up to six days’ paid sick leave per academic session.
- Unit 4 members are eligible for up to two days’ paid sick leave per academic session, given at least one contact day.
- Unit 5 members are eligible for up to five days’ paid sick leave per contract year.
As a CUPE 3902 member, you should inform your direct supervisor and chair, PI, program coordinator, or department head if you require time during your regular workday or relief from your regular duties to recover from vaccine side effects.
Overwork Protection After Sick Leave
Taking time off to get vaccinated and recover from side effects should not require you to work unreasonably long hours in order to catch up afterwards. Every effort should be made to allow you reasonable and sufficient time to do outstanding tasks, such as grading assignments, after you return. Please contact your Union rep for further support with this.
Worker Income Protection Benefit and Work Outside of the University
If your Collective Agreement or other work outside of the University grants you fewer than three days of short-term sick leave, and you need more (such as if you are a Unit 1 member working fewer than 200 hours in a given term), you are eligible for a total of three days under the April 29th amendment to the Employment Standards Act. All employees in Ontario who require leave to receive COVID-19 vaccination or as a result of vaccination-related illness are eligible for the Ontario COVID-19 Worker Income Protection Benefit, which either grants paid leave from work if none is available, or increases leave to a total of three days under an existing contract, amounting to up to $200 per day. This benefit will be paid directly to you by your employer and no application is required. The three days of leave are not required to be consecutive.