The 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020.
Up-to-date information about COVID-19 can be found from the following sources:
HRPA COVID-19 Member Survey Part 2 Results
HRPA COVID-19 Member Survey Results
Major Public Health Authorities
- Ontario Public Health Units
- Toronto Public Health
- Public Health Ontario
- Public Health Agency of Canada
- World Health Organization
Public Health Information Sheets
- PHAC – Be Prepared (COVID-19)
- Public Health Ontario – How to Wash your Hands
- PHAC – Social Distancing
- PHAC – Cleaning and Disinfecting Public Spaces (COVID-19)
- CDC – Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Recommendations
- PHAC – Vulnerable Populations and COVID-19
- PHAC – For Travellers without Symptoms Returning to Canada
- CCOHS – COVID-19 Tip Sheets for High Risk Workplaces
- WHO – Advice for the Public
Additional Government Resources
- Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan – Programs for Businesses and Individuals
- Government of Canada – Find financial help during COVID-19
- CBC – Financial help for Canadians affected by COVID-19
- Government of Canada – Travel Advice & Advisories
- Government of Ontario – A Framework for Reopening our Province
- Government of Ontario – Find PPE Suppliers
- Government of Ontario – COVID-19 (coronavirus) and workplace health and safety
- Government of Ontario – Resources to prevent COVID-19 in the workplace
- Government of Ontario – Develop your COVID-19 workplace safety plan
Ontario Human Rights Commission
- OHRC Policy Statement on the COVID-19 Pandemic
- OHRC Policy Statement on a Human Rights-Based Approach to Managing the COVID-19 Pandemic
- OHRC Actions Consistent with a Human Rights-Based Approach to Managing the COVID–19 Pandemic
- OHRC COVID-19 and Ontario’s Human Rights Code – Questions and Answers
Considerations for Employers:
- Mental Health Effects from COVID-19 (April 23, 2020)
- COVID 19: CERB and CEWS and the rest – Government Programs and Legal Risks (April 20, 2020)
- COVID-19: Implications for Employers (April 14, 2020)
- COVID-19 Update and Information for HR Professionals (March 25, 2020)
- Can Your Organization Withstand a Pandemic? (February 12, 2020)
General Resources & Best Practices
- First Reference – COVID-19 and the Canadian workplace
- CCOHS – Free e-Learning Courses
- CCOHS – Free Publications
- CCOHS – Guidance for High Risk and Essential Workers
- The Conference Board of Canada – COVID-19 Resources
- Retail Council of Canada – COVID-19 Resources for Retailers
- Dentons – Ontario employers now legally required to screen employees coming to work
- Hicks Morley – Ontario Extends Temporary Relief from ESA Termination and Severance Provisions
- Hicks Morley – Details of Extensive Changes to EI and CERB Announced
- CRA opens applications for enhanced Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy
- McCarthy Tetrault – COVID-19: Economic relief measures
- BLG – COVID-19: Breaking developments and essential resource
- Dutton Employment law – COVID-19 Employee Rights
- Samfiru Tumarkin LLP – COVID-19 & Employment Rights
- Dentons – Privacy law in the context of pandemics
Preparing Your Workplace
- Workplace Safety and Prevention Services – Pandemic Preparedness Checklist
- Deloitte – Practical steps for pandemic preparedness
- Hicks Morley – COVID-19 and Workplace Preparedness
- CCOHS – Emergency Response Planning Guide
- Business Development Canada – Continuity plan toolkit
- Deloitte – COVID-19: Managing supply chain risk and disruption
- CCOHS – Guidance for High Risk and Essential Workers
- Workplace Safety and Prevention Services – Guidance Documents
- Workplace Safety North – Guidance Documents
- Public Service Health and Safety Association – Guidance Documents
- Infrastructure Health and Safety Association – Guidance Documents
Returning to Work
- CCOHS Pandemic Planning: Reopening for Business
- WSPS – Pandemic Recovery-Return to Business Checklist
- CCOHS – Pandemic (COVID-19) Tip Sheets
- Osler – COVID-19 Return to the Workplace Playbook
- Hicks Morley – Ensuring a Successful Return to Work in a COVID-19 World
- PSHSA – Health and Safety Guidance During COVID-19 For Employers of Office Setting
- Government of Canada – Preventing COVID-19 in the workplace
- McCarthy Tetrault – Moving Forward – Considerations for the Re-Opening of Physical Workplaces
Working Remotely
- CCOHS – Telework / Telecommuting
- Canadian Centre for Cyber Security – Telework Security Issues
- CCOHS – Telework and Home Office Health and Safety Guide
- Training Industry – Best Practices for Managing a Telecommuting Team
- Forbes – Six Ideas For Leading Your Team Remotely
- HR Dive – Interact intentionally: How HR can encourage effective online meetings
Mental Health
- CCOHS – Free Mental Health: e-Course Package
- CAMH – Mental Health and the COVID-19 Pandemic
- WHO – Mental Health and Psychosocial Considerations During COVID-19 Outbreak
- The Conference Board of Canada – Insulating for isolation
- The Conference Board of Canada – How employers and employees should manage self-quarantines
- Norton Rose Fulbright – Addressing employee mental health during challenging times
HRPA is not able to provide legal advice or guidance for specific workplace situations. If you require additional assistance, contact the Law Society of Ontario’s Legal Referral Service, where you can be referred to a lawyer or paralegal for a free 30-minute consultation.