Update – Pandemic Pay for Staff

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Update – Pandemic Pay for Staff

The BC Temporary Pandemic Pay Program was announced on May 7, 2020 by the federal government. On September 16th, employers were permitted to submit the straight-time hours worked by front-line health care from March 15 – July 4, 2020. The government information on Temporary Pandemic Pay is online – CLICK HERE

As of today, November 26, 2020, Menno Place has not received any funding to pass to employees for the Temporary Pandemic pay.

Menno Place submitted our claims for employee hours earlier than the Oct. 31st deadline for submissions. The Ministry of Finance has informed us that the funding may continue to be issued until December 31, 2020 as submissions are processed. We learned today that there are 8200 plus submissions for Pandemic Pay across the province and the hold-up is due to the Ministry of Health validating the claims that can takes up to 3-4 weeks, after which the health authority validates for 2-3 weeks and another 1-2 weeks to be paid by the Ministry. It is a long process and probably looking at 4-6 weeks for pandemic pay to be received. We have not been able to find out from the government what order they are approving submissions in spite of our CEO asking weekly on calls with the Ministry of Health.

The Ministry of Finance is responsible to issue the funding to Menno Place who will then be responsible to distribute this to each of our eligible employees as a lump sum on a regular paycheck.

We have heard through our staff that some other care homes have received their funding and dispersed it to their employees. So far, the only one that our CEO knows about is the Fraser Health Authority which may have different funding sources.

We are very disappointed that this is taking so long to get to you, especially as some staff have indicated that it may impact your perspective on whether or not Menno Place values your work and sacrifice during this pandemic. Please know that we are very proud of your work, your vigilance in following COVID protocols and the hard work it has taken to keep this virus out of Menno Place. We are proud of the work you are doing during the Outbreak – the Menno Home staff are at 9 days of droplet precautions and Menno Hospital has just begun. We know it is physically and mentally challenging – and we thank you for the good work that you do each day.

Now that we’ve entered COVID Outbreak in both Home and Hospital, we are even more aware of how discouraging it is to be promised additional pay and at the same time asked to do the additional effort and sacrifice that is required with droplet precautions and increased COVID protocols. We were excited about the announcement in May, knowing that you are deserving of this recognition of your skill and tenacity – as is the entire sector of employees who care for the seniors in our communities across this province. We know that the pandemic pay would give you a very real encouragement that your work is valued. Instead, this long process has discouraged the very people that it was intended to honor.

Karen Biggs, our Chief Executive Officer, is committed to making payments through our Payroll Department as soon as the funding arrives. Pandemic Pay will be given to those in eligible roles which include RNs, LPNs, HCAs, Administrative / clerical support roles and essential non-clinical services such as Food service workers, housekeepers, laundry workers, maintenance, deliveries and other key roles. It will arrive in a lump sum on one paycheck. We will notify you when we receive the funding from the BC government.

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • What criteria need to be met in order to be eligible for Temporary Pandemic Pay?
    Employees who worked straight-time hours at any point during the 16-week period starting on March 1, 2020 and ending July 4, 2020
  • Does the employee have to work full-time during this period to qualify?
    No, all employees, irrespective, of whether they worked full-time, part-time, casual, or temporary are eligible if they meet the criteria (above).
    This includes working during statutory holiday.
  • Do overtime hours worked on a statutory holiday count as straight-time?
    Yes, but for hours worked only, not at a premium. For example, 8 hours on a Sunday counts as 8 hours only, not time and a half.
  • Do overtime hours worked count as straight-time?
    Yes. The Temporary Pandemic Pay is a flat-rate, and would not be grossed up when working overtime or on holiday.
  • Do management positions in the organization qualify?
    No. Management and executive positions withing the organization are not eligible for the temporary pandemic pay.
  • Are programs that transitioned to remote or virtual service delivery models eligible for pandemic pay?
    Yes, front-line employees are eligible for pandemic pay irrespective if they were working remotely or on-site at their usual workplace.
  • Are contracted service providers eligible?
    Yes, non-management employees of contracted providers who deliver direct services or support services are eligible for the pandemic pay.
  • Are employers funded from different sources still eligible?
    Yes, however, the Temporary Pandemic Pay is a top-up that is proportionate to the funding the employer receives from the provincial government.
  • If an employee has resigned or retired (left) the organization during or after the 16-week period March 15 – July 4, 2020, are they eligible for the pandemic pay?
    Yes, on a pro-rated basis. This applies to straight-time hours worked during that period.
    Terminated employees are not eligible for the pandemic pay.
  • Are employees hired after March 15, 2020 eligible?
    These employees receive pandemic pay for the straight-time hours worked during the applicable time period if they meet all the eligibility criteria.
  • Is the time spent on COVID-19 leave or required isolation due to possible COVID-19 exposure eligible for the pandemic pay?
    No, any kind of leave (eg. sick leave, parental leave, vacation, short/long-term disability, etc.) including one cause by COVID-19 is not eligible for the pandemic pay.
  • Is the pandemic pay taxable?
    Yes, the pandemic pay is taxable.
  • Why can’t employees get their lump-sum on a separate cheque so that they pay less tax?
    Payroll departments do not issue separate pay checks for adds-to-pay (overtime, substitution pay, premiums, etc.) or retractive lump sum adjustments such as pandemic pay.
    The software used to calculate payroll and taxation uses taxation methods and formulas approved by the Canada Revenue Agency. These formulas cover federal income tax, provincial income tax, contributions to the Canada Pension Plan and premiums for the Employment Insurance program. Neither the employer nor payroll alters these formulas in any way.
    When Temporary Pandemic Pay recipients file their taxes next year, their earnings from all sources will be reviewed by the Canada Revenue Agency and adjustments are made as necessary.