Care/Work: Law Reform to Support Family Caregivers to Balance Paid Work and Unpaid Caregiving: A Study Paper Prepared by the British Columbia Law Institute & Canadian Centre for Elder Law

Abstract

This study paper reviews the current legal framework in British Columbia governing leave, accommodation, and other entitlements available to employees who are providing care for family members, elderly parents, and grandparents and disabled adult children, addressing the care needs of adults living with mental-health issues, physical and developmental disabilities, and long-term illnesses, as well as the corresponding challenge of their caregivers to balance work and domestic responsibilities. The study paper provides an inter-jurisdictional analysis of family care leave provisions, including human rights law, labour law, employment law, constitutional law, taxation law, and pensions and benefits entitlements. The study paper concludes by considering directions for law reform.