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Last updated: June 26, 2020. Please check back for updates.

Employers and employees both have roles to play to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Whether open, or planning to reopen, there are public health measures to have in place to protect employees, clients, and the public. This page has information to support employers and employees regarding COVID-19. Please check the Health Unit and government websites often for updates.

Find COVID-19 workplace guidance information sheets released by the Government of Ontario for the gradual reopening of the provincial economy. Guidance documents are available for a variety of settings, such as places of worship, retail and other settings.

Employers

Infection prevention and control measures for employers

*This does not substitute legal advice. These are general infection protection and control measures. It is important to note, some of these practices may not be feasible in all workplaces and/or there may be additional workplace policies, Ministry guidelines, or legislation for specific jobs or sectors.

Post signage (e.g., physical distancing, hand washing)
Provide access to hand washing stations and/or hand sanitizer
Sanitize high-touch surfaces often (e.g., counters, door knobs, equipment, tools, vehicles)
Examine ventilation (e.g., improve fresh air intake and air circulation, open windows)
Review physical space to support physical distancing (e.g., space between desks, space chairs in lunch room, use of entrances/exits, floor decals to direct flow and encourage physical distancing, number of customers allowed inside, barriers between employee and customers)
Do not allow customers to bring reusable cups, bags, containers
Review and consider various options for:
- work schedule (e.g., work from home, staggered hours, breaks, lunches)
- payment (e.g.,encourage use of credit/debit)
- meetings (e.g., by phone, virtually, outdoors, scheduled vs. drop-in)
- non-essential tasks (e.g., delay, stop)
- review, update, and communicate/post policies (e.g., reporting illness, sick time, infection prevention and control, sanitization, tracking). When you review and create new policies, consider all workplace hazards, not just COVID-19 and consult with your Joint Health and Safety Committees/Health and Safety representatives

Employers should review relevant guidance documents provided by:

Government of Ontario: sector-specific guidelines and posters
Ontario Ministry of Health: guidance documents
*New (June 16)- Government of Ontario: Develop your COVID-19 workplace safety plan

Employers are also encouraged to review:

Cleaning and Disinfection for Public Settings (Public Health Ontario)
COVID-19: Guidance for Workplaces/Businesses and Employers (Toronto Public Health)
COVID-19 and Occupational Health & Safety (Public Health Agency of Canada)
COVID-19: Support for Businesses (Government of Ontario)
COVID-19: Resources for Canadian Businesses (Government of Canada)
Getting Your Workplace Ready for COVID-19 (World Health Organization)
COVID-19: Keeping safe during the pandemic (Workplace Safety & Prevention Services)
Do Not Enter Warning poster for workplaces and public areas

Use of personal protective equipment (PPE)?

The use of PPE (e.g., gloves, goggles, shields) depend on the sector and tasks performed by employees. Please review the recommendations made in relevant documents, such as the sector specific guidance documents provided by the Government of Ontario. If employees require PPE, the employer must provide it. They also need to ensure their employees are appropriately trained in its use and properly fitted (i.e. N95s). If employees have questions or concerns, they should consult with their supervisor, a Joint Health and Safety Committee member or Occupational Health and Safety representative, or their industry-specific health and safety association. Complaints for non-compliance should be directed to the Ministry of Labour.

Access a directory of PPE suppliers on the Government of Ontario website.

For more information

The Government of Ontario

Frequently Asked Questions about essential businesses
Call Stop the Spread Business Information (1-888-444-3659) for questions about temporary measures, impacts to your business or employment

Government of Canada

Visit Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan for questions on the emergency response program and support for individuals, businesses and/or sectors.

North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit

Call 1-800-563-2808 for questions around infection prevention and control measures for your workplace and COVID-19 (e.g., contact tracing, testing, self-isolation, return to work).

Employees

Infection protection and control measures for employees

*These measures may not be possible in all workplaces and/or you may have other policies and laws to follow for your specific job or sector.

Practice physical distancing (2 metres or 6 feet);
Wash hands often (soap and water for 20 seconds or with hand sanitizer);
Avoid touching your mouth, eyes, nose;
Avoid using contact greetings (e.g., shaking hands);
Avoid or minimize sharing tools, equipment, supplies;
Sanitize high-touch surfaces often (e.g., counters, door knobs, equipment, tools, vehicles)
Stay home if you have symptoms of COVID-19. If you have symptoms, immediately isolate yourself, notify your supervisor or occupational health department, and arrange to be tested.

For concerns about your workplace’s health and safety practices related to COVID-19.

If you have any health and safety concerns at work, talk to your supervisor, Joint Health and Safety Committee or Occupational Health and Safety representative, or their industry-specific health and safety association. If your concern is not resolved, you can contact the Ministry of Labour’s Health and Safety Contact Centre (1-877-202-0008) to file a complaint. You have the right to refuse unsafe work.

Ontario Human Rights Commission’s (OHRC) policy on the COVID-19 pandemic

The OHRC’s policy statement on the COVID-19 pandemic reads "that negative treatment of employees who have, or are perceived to have, COVID-19, for reasons unrelated to public health and safety, is discriminatory and prohibited under the Code. Employers have a duty to accommodate employees in relation to COVID-19, unless it would amount to undue hardship based on cost, or health and safety."

The OHRC wrote to urge governments and agencies to adopt a human rights-based approach to managing the COVID-19 pandemic. To assist us, the OHRC has created these two new resources.

Workers who believe that they are being discriminated against can contact their union, human resources department and/or the Ontario Human Rights Legal Support Centre at 1-866-625-5179.