**** Government of Canada Release
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) – Employment and Social Development Canada
Responding to the risk of coronavirus (COVID-19) in federally regulated workplaces
There may be concerns from employers and employees in Canadian federally regulated workplaces about coronavirus and questions about how to prevent exposure in their workplaces.
Workplace parties should consider whether doing certain tasks puts employees at greater risk of exposure to coronavirus. Also consider whether the Hazard Prevention Program needs extra controls or protections.
To change the Hazard Prevention Program, the employer must consult the policy or workplace health and safety committee or representative.
The employer must inform and train employees on any changes to the Program, including any new personal protective equipment they provide.
Are you an employer or employee in a federally regulated workplace? Do you have concerns or questions about coronavirus? Contact the Labour Program at 1-800-641-4049 (toll-free).
Roles and responsibilities
The Labour Program is responsible for administering Part II of the Canada Labour Code (the Code).
The Public Health Agency of Canada is responsible for preparing for and responding to any infectious disease emergencies that may happen in Canada.
Employers are responsible for protecting the health and safety of their employees while at work.
Employer responsibilities under Part II of the Canada Labour Code
Employers are responsible for protecting the health and safety of employees at work. They are required to implement preventative measures to ensure employees are not exposed to conditions that could be harmful to their health or safety while working.
If there is a risk of exposure to COVID-19 for employees while working, employers must:
identify the risk
assess the risk, and
implement proper controls through their Hazard Prevention Program
If the employer requires personal protective equipment, they must provide training and procedures to employees. Employees must comply with the employer’s procedures.
Employee rights under Part II of the Canada Labour Code
Under the Code, employees have 3 basic rights:
the right to know
the right to participate, and
the right to refuse dangerous work
Definition of danger: “any hazard, condition or activity that could reasonably be expected to be an imminent or serious threat to the life or health of a person exposed to it before the hazard or condition can be corrected or the activity altered.”
For more information about refusal to work under Part II of the Code: Right to refuse dangerous work
Hazard Prevention Program
Supporting the Internal Responsibility System, the employer must make all revisions to the workplace Hazard Prevention Program by consulting with:
the policy health and safety committee
the workplace health and safety committee, or
the workplace health and safety representative
Employees must be provided with training on the hazard and the safe work procedures that will protect them. Employers must keep training records.
Employees’ entitlements and leaves of absence
The Code provides employees in federally regulated workplaces with a number of job protected leaves if they are ill or if they need to take care of their family. This includes:
Medical leave
Personal leave
The Code establishes minimum requirements. If a collective agreement or arrangement providing better protections exists, the most favourable provisions apply.
For more information: Types of leaves offered to employees in federally regulated workplaces
Reporting requirements
Do your employees refuse to work because of the coronavirus (even if an investigation has been conducted internally and concluded no danger)? Is there a confirmed case of coronavirus? As an employer, you should immediately advise the Labour Program at 1-800-641-4049 (toll free).
An official delegated by the Minister of Labour will follow up with the employer to review Code requirements related to this type of event.
What is coronavirus (COVID-19)
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. Some cause illness in people and others cause illness in animals. Human coronaviruses are common and are typically associated with mild illnesses, similar to the common cold.
Information and updates about coronavirus: Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Outbreak update
Information and resources
Information about coronavirus and prevention:
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Outbreak update
The World Health Organization (WHO) information and preventative measures
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Information on workplace health and safety, and federal labour standards:
Workplace health and safety
Federal labour standards
Contact the Labour Program
Telephone: 1-800-641-4049 (toll-free)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-800-926-9105
Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits provide up to 15 weeks of income replacement and is available to eligible claimants who are unable to work because of illness, injury or quarantine, to allow them time to restore their health and return to work. Canadians quarantined can apply for Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits.
If you are eligible, visit the EI sickness benefits page to apply.
Service Canada is ready to support Canadians affected by COVID-19 and placed in quarantine, with the following support actions:
The one-week waiting period for EI sickness benefits will be waived for new claimants who are quarantined so they can be paid for the first week of their claim.
Establishing a new dedicated toll-free phone number to support enquiries related to waiving the EI sickness benefits waiting period.
Priority EI application processing for EI sickness claims for clients under quarantine.
Contact the new dedicated toll-free phone number if you are in quarantine and seeking to waive the one-week EI sickness benefits waiting period so you can be paid for the first week of your claim:
Telephone: 1-833-381-2725 (toll-free)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-800-529-3742
If you are experiencing symptoms such as cough, fever, difficulty breathing or you are in self-isolation or quarantine, do not visit or enter any Service Canada office. As an alternative, you may access our services online or by calling 1 800 O-Canada.
The Work-Sharing program is implementing temporary special measures to support employers and employees affected by the downturn in business caused by COVID-19. The new temporary special measures are available to employers impacted directly or indirectly by COVID-19. The measures allows for eligible employers to retain skilled employees and workers to remain employed during the temporary downturn in business due to COVID-19. The temporary special measures will:
extend the Work-Sharing agreements by an additional 38 weeks
wave the mandatory waiting period between agreements
ease the recovery plan requirements
Access the Work-Sharing page to learn more about the program and its requirements.
Access the Work-Sharing temporary special measures page to find out if you are eligible for temporary special measures.
