Staying safe at work during COVID-19
I’m sure the last thing you need is yet more updates on the current coronavirus pandemic, COVID-19. So, I will keep this short and to the point.
While my office is lucky enough to telework, most folks out there aren’t so lucky. We are all facing a challenging situation: to do our part in preventing the spread of disease while still supporting ourselves and the economy.
Employers, you have a responsibility to ensure your employees have a safe working environment. Assist in the solution by doing the following:
- Allow time off or work from home if possible
- Educate yourself on temporary layoffs and signing employees up for EI if it comes to that
- Educate your staff on COVID-19 prevention and responses
- Provide personal protective equipment and train your staff on how to use it
- Reschedule or rearrange work schedules/shifts so there are no more than 50 people working in the same enclosed place at once
- Make yourself available to hear your employees’ concerns, and listen with empathy
Things are changing daily, so stay up to date with your provincial government for news. You can also check out the Employment Standard Branch for your province for more detailed information.
Employment Standards Branches by province:
- British Columbia: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/employment-standards-advice/employment-standards
- Alberta: https://www.alberta.ca/employment-standards.aspx
- Saskatchewan: https://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/employment-standards
- Manitoba: https://www.gov.mb.ca/labour/standards/
- Ontario: https://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/es/
- Quebec: https://www.cnt.gouv.qc.ca/en/accueil/index.html
- New Brunswick: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/post-secondary_education_training_and_labour/People/content/EmploymentStandards.html
- Nova Scotia: https://novascotia.ca/lae/employmentrights/
- Newfoundland and Labrador: https://www.gov.nl.ca/aesl/
- Prince Edward Island: https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/economic-growth-tourism-and-culture/employment-standards-pei
- Yukon: http://www.community.gov.yk.ca/es.html
- Northwest Territories: https://www.ece.gov.nt.ca/en/services/employment-standards
- Nunavut: http://www.nu-lsco.ca/
External resources:
http://psacunion.ca/covid-19-your-rights-work
https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/diseases/coronavirus.html
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html
https://mathewsdinsdale.com/covid-19-and-the-workplace-frequently-asked-questions/
https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/notices/coronavirus.html
Kael Campbell is President and Lead Recruiter of Red Seal Recruiting Solutions, a company providing recruitment services in mining, equipment and plant maintenance, utilities, manufacturing, construction, and transportation. When he is not recruiting, Kael spends as much time as possible with family in the great outdoors and on the water. He volunteers his time as a Board Member of the Entrepreneurs Organization of Vancouver Island. You are invited to subscribe to our employer newsletter or submit your resume.