Changes are on the way for Saskatchewan’s Employment Act after amendments were introduced earlier this week.

The amendments will look to increase parental leave by eight weeks, to which the government states the increase will ensure that employees who are entitled to the new shared parental Employment Insurance benefit, have job protection while accessing the benefits.

Additionally, the proposed amendments will expand candidate and public office leave to those who are running for Band Council.

“The changes we are making will ensure that employees can enjoy bringing a child into their family or run for Band Council knowing their jobs are protected,” said Don Morgan, Labour Relations and Workplace Safety Minister.

Other amendments included:• provide the Labour Relations Board with the authority to require the production of an adjudicator’s decision when the statutory period is exceeded and replace the adjudicator if a decision is not provided;• provide radiation health officers with the ability to issue compliance undertakings and notices of contravention, establish an appeal process and establish higher penalties for second and subsequent offences;• enable strikes and lockouts to occur when an application is pending before the Labour Relations Board; and• take care of a small number of housekeeping or maintenance items including wage assessments and re-establishing the court’s ability to reinstate employees who have been discriminated against by their employers.Morgan stated the amendments will also help to establish a fair and competitive business environment that will set up on the right path for growth.