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
- Toronto Public Health- COVID-19 Resources
- Public Health Ontario- COVID-19 Factsheets
- Public Health Agency of Canada- COVID-19 Awareness Resources
- CDC- Things to Know about the COVID-19 Pandemic
- CCOHS – COVID-19 Tip Sheets for High Risk Workplaces
- WHO – Advice for the Public
Government Updates
Provincial
Ontario Extends Teacher-Led Online Learning Until January 25 in Southern Ontario [01/08]
Ontario Releases Framework for COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution [12/30]
Ontario Building on Supports for Employers During COVID-19 [12/21]
Ontario Announces Provincewide Shutdown in Effect as of Dec. 26 [12/21]
Ontario Supports Employers and Employees Impacted by COVID-19 [12/17]
Supporting Workers Impacted by COVID-19 through Redesigned Training Program [12/17]
More Ontario COVID-19 Announcements
Federal
Government announces wage subsidy rate increase to 75 per cent [12/18]
Employer-provided benefits and allowances: CRA and COVID-19 [12/15]
Government expands Canada Emergency Business Account loans [12/4]
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- COVID-19: Provincewide Shutdown
- 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:
HRPA COVID-19 Webinars
- 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
- 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
Workplace Legal Updates
- Hicks Morley- COVID-19 Insights
- Rudner Law- COVID-19 and the Workplace
- Dentons- COVID-19 Employment & Labour Law Articles
Preparing Your Workplace
- Workplace Safety and Prevention Services – Pandemic Preparedness Checklist
- CCOHS – Pandemic Tip Sheets
- CCOHS – Emergency Response Planning Guide
- Business Development Canada – Continuity plan toolkit
- Deloitte – COVID-19: Managing supply chain risk and disruption
- 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
- PSHSA – Health and Safety Guidance During COVID-19 For Employers of Office Setting
- Government of Canada – Preventing COVID-19 in the workplace
Working Remotely
- CCOHS – Telework / Telecommuting
- Canadian Centre for Cyber Security – Telework Security Issues
- CCOHS – Telework and Home Office Health and Safety Guide
- KPMG- Leading practices for remote working
- Canadian HR Reporter- Do you have a remote work policy?
- Forbes – Six Ideas For Leading Your Team Remotely
- HR Dive – Interact intentionally: How HR can encourage effective online meetings
- HR Exchange Network- Virtual Harassment in the Workplace: How Bullying and Misconduct Moves Online
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.