COVID-19

Here are some helpful links we have compiled to help you, your business, and your employees during this time:

About COVID-19

There is a lot of misinformation out there regarding the virus. The World Health Organization has therefore released this list of myth busters.

The Government of Canada has the following pages:

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Summary of assumptions
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Prevention and risks

Health and safety

The World Health Organization has a useful document on preparing your workplace for COVID-19 including tips such as:

Promoting handwashing in the workplace
Promoting respiratory hygiene
How to manage meetings

The Government of Canada has a page to help businesses with risk-informed decision-making guidelines for workplaces.

The Government of Canada also has the following pages:

Guidelines on how to be prepared at home and in the workplace
Guidelines on how to clean and disinfect public spaces
Health Canada has a list of hard-surface disinfectants for use against coronavirus (COVID-19)

The Canadian Mental Health Association has a number of resources for mental health in the workplace as well as free webinars.

Wellness Together Canada has a number of mental health and substance use support resources.

Ensure you have put the necessary controls in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19, by performing a Risk Assessment (Source: Industrial Safety Trainers Inc.) of your work place.

The Province of Ontario also has some useful information on preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace along with COVID-19 Guidance for Industry Operators.

Workplace Safety and Prevention Services has a helpful poster entitled “It’s not just PPE”, that shows the hierarchy of controls for decreasing the spread of chemical, physical and biological agents.

Provincial workplace insurance information

The following provinces are offering relief for workplace insurance:

Government financial assistance

The Government of Canada has a great website for businesses, which includes information on:

Temporary wage subsidy
Loans
Tax deferrals

The same website has resources for your employees such as:

Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB)
Boosted Canada Child Benefit payments
Tax deadline extension

Legal matters

Kelly Santini has put together frequently asked employment questions such as:

Does an employer have to pay workers who are sick and unable to work?
Can an employer send an employee home because someone has or is suspected of having COVID – 19?
What happens to an employee’s benefits or pension contributions during lay off?

This article from Bennett Jones LLP covers privacy considerations when COVID-19 has been identified in your workplace.

Insurance

Fogler, Rubinoff LLP has an article entitled "COVID-19 Insurance Considerations: Is My Business Covered?"

More information for small businesses

The Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses (CFIB) has put together a great website with resources and advice for small businesses. Information includes:

What should I do if I’m concerned about rent payments?
I am struggling to meet some of my obligations (rent, suppliers, etc), can I postpone these payments?

CFIB also has an online guide to determine whether your business is an essential service.

COVID-19 and trade

The Trade Commissioner Service has created a website on COVID 19 and Canada's international trade.