About Layoffs

When you were laid off, we hoped we would see you again in a couple of weeks. However, we all know that’s not what happened. This experience has been new for all of us! No one at the Y has lived through a pandemic like COVID-19 before. We have been working diligently to keep you up-to-date with new developments and are doing our best to answer all your questions; however, sometimes we just have to say “we don’t know”. Please reach out to your manager directly, or contact our HR Manager, Melaney, at melaney.kothlow@ymcaokanagan.ca and we will answer your questions the best we can.

We are excited that our community is moving into Phase 3 of BC's Restart Plan and we want you all to know that we are actively working on plans for our next phases of reopening, including our aquatics centres.

Recognizing that many business and organizations like ours are experiencing slow starts to recovery, the provincial government has again extended the temporary layoff period to a maximum of 24 weeks or until the end of August. This means that all employees who have not yet been called back to active duty will remain on layoff for the time being. If you were eligible for the Federal CERB program, this too has been extended to match the maximum layoff period. Learn more

Our staff remain a vital priority and we are committed to bringing our valued employees back as soon as we can. We will keep you informed along the way and hope to be able to confirm and communicate our next phases of reopening very soon.

We are pleased to announce that the YMCA will continue to pay the employee's portion of premiums for those staff who continue to be on lay-off for the month of July.  

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to challenge our community and your Y, we regret that this will be the last month that we will be able to cover the full benefit premiums for staff who are on temporary layoff. Moving forward, employees who would like their benefits plan to continue beyond July 31, will need to cover their portion of the cost and the YMCA of Okanagan will continue to cover its portion of this expense. 

We truly care about your health and wellness and want to assure you that your well-being is factored into each decision we make. Unfortunately your Y has been greatly affected by the pandemic and we need to make difficult decisions in order to ensure we are here for you and our community in the future. 

To continue receiving benefits in August, and for details on the amount of your benefits portion and how to cover this cost, please email Beth by July 17. If you choose to opt out of your benefits starting in August please email Melaney before July 17. For employees who have been recalled under the CEWS (Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy) program the benefit deductions will be taken off of your pay cheque as of the date of your recall. As well, your LTD coverage will be reactivated on that same date of recall.

And if you have any questions about these important staff updates please do not hesitate to reach out to Melaney.

Yes! Employees who are laid off from the Y continue to be employees for the duration of the layoff period.

This is a new financial program the federal government has created to provide a taxable benefit of $2,000 a month for up to 24 weeks (recently updated by the Federal government from 16 weeks) to eligible workers who have lost their income due to COVID-19. Applications can be made and the current eligibility period is June 7, 2020 to July 4, 2020. The next eligibility period is July 5, 2020 to August 1, 2020. There are two ways to apply: Online or over the phone with an automated phone service:1-800-959-2019 or 1-800-959-2041.

We remind all employees the CERB payments will be taxed as income in the 2020 tax year.