Canada
This is the market where generalising goes wrong fastest. Ontario's ESA gives 3 unpaid, job-protected sick days a year (the paid pandemic-era days ended in 2023). Federally regulated employers owe up to 10 paid medical days, accruing monthly. Quebec pays 2 days after 3 months' service, BC mandates 5 paid days, and the rest of the provinces write their own rules.
- Ontario3 days a year, unpaid, job-protected
- Federally regulated10 paid days, accruing 1 per month
- Quebec2 paid days after 3 months
- Province variationSubstantial (BC 5 paid days)
- Any copy implying Ontario has statutory paid sick days is wrong as of July 2026.
- Federal paid days accrue monthly, so a new hire does not start with 10.
Source: Ontario ESA guide (Unpaid regime since 2019). Checked July 2026.
New Zealand
The Holidays Act gives 10 days' sick leave once an employee reaches 6 months' service, and the entitlement is not pro-rated, so part-timers get the full 10 days. Up to 10 unused days carry over each year, capped at 20 days held. The employer pays at relevant daily pay; there is no state reimbursement.
- Entitlement10 days a year from 6 months' service
- Part-timeFull 10 days, not pro-rated
- Cap20 days held
- Who paysEmployer
| Length of service | Entitlement |
|---|
| 0 to 6 months | None (contract can be more generous) |
| From 6 months | 10 days a year, capped at 20 held |
- The Employment Leave Bill would move sick leave to pro-rated, hours-based accrual from day one, but it is still a bill; nothing changes before roughly 2028.
Source: Employment New Zealand (Holidays Act 2003, 10 days since 2021). Checked July 2026.
Sources
Every figure on this page comes from the government source for its market.
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