New parents, caregivers and assault survivors will soon to be able to utilize longer job leaves as the provincial government makes amendments to The Saskatchewan Employment Act.

The changes include many extensions to the already established maternity, adoption and parental leaves outlined in the act. The maternity and adoption leave will increase from 18 weeks to 19 weeks, which is the longest leave offered in Canada.

Parental leave is set to increase from 34 to 59 weeks for the mother of the child on top of the 19 weeks of maternity leave, if she chooses to take the full leave, providing a total of up to 78 weeks. In the case of another parent wanting to take the entire leave, or is collecting Employment Insurance benefits, they will see parental leave increase from 37 weeks offered previously to 63 weeks.

Employees that are required to care for critically ill adult family members will be now have 17 weeks of leave as offered through a new critically ill adult leave.

Changes to the act will go beyond maternity and parental leave as the government also looks to extend interpersonal violence leave. The extension of 10 days is available to all survivors of all forms of sexual violence, this time can be used to seek medical or legal help, access support services or re-locate to a safe space.

Benefits available through the federal Employment Insurance program will continue to align with the leaves outlined above.