In various jurisdictions across Canada – provincial and municipal – frontline workers during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic are entitled to ‘temporary pandemic pay’, which essentially adds an extra amount of money to your typical wage ($4 per hour, for example). In this blog, we’re going to take a look at how RPI applies this to the pay of our independent contractors, and when you can expect to receive it. We urge you to read our other blogs that will explain how you can ensure that you’re receiving your pay accurately and efficiently, such as this one on the importance of accuracy when submitting your bill to RPI, and this one that outlines how our Easy Bill system works.
Pandemic pay is not permanent
There’s no doubt that anyone who receives temporary pandemic pay absolutely deserves every cent of it, and this is especially true for healthcare workers who are on the frontlines and putting their own health at risk to help others. Unfortunately, in most jurisdictions where it’s offered, it’s not on a permanent basis, and tends to fall into various timeframes based on where you’re located. At RPI, we want our candidates to know that as your agency, we’ll do everything in our power to get this pay into your hands and quickly and efficiently as possible if you qualify for it.
The process of receiving your pandemic pay
When it comes to an RPI candidate receiving their pandemic pay, there are certain steps that need to be taken. Generally, any additional pay that is owed to you and falls under the banner of pandemic pay will be paid to you separately from your regular wage, as there needs to be an approval process to ensure that you’re entitled to it. In most cases, the wait period for this is relatively short, and as we’ve mentioned before, we’ll do everything in our power to get you your pay in an efficient manner. And of course, if you’re ever unsure of whether or not you’re entitled to pandemic pay, consider talking to your Account Manager, who will be happy to answer any questions or concerns that you might have.
In closing
Temporary pandemic pay will vary from province to province and municipality to municipality, so it’s important to understand how it works based on where you live and work. However, regardless of the situation, RPI will work diligently to get the pay into the hands of our candidates who are entitled to it.
