CCPartners | Blog

COVID-19: Get the Employers’ Edge Over 2019 Novel Coronavirus

UPDATED MARCH 13, 2020

Employers owe legal obligations to their clients, customers, the public, and of course their employees.  At the same time, employers also have certain rights that are closely related to their responsibilities.  The coronavirus has led employers to seek information regarding their rights and responsibilities in this exceptional climate.  As always, employers should #ASKCCPartners!

Here are a few questions that our lawyers have been answering recently in light of public concern over COVID-19: 

1. Can we require our employees to advise us if they have COVID-19? 

   Employers are not entitled to require employees to disclose diagnoses of medical conditions under normal circumstances.  However these are not normal circumstances.  Ontario’s Ministry of Health has stated that “Coronaviruses are spread mainly from person to person through close contact, for example, in a household, workplace or health care centre.”  The Government of Canada has stated that a person should self-isolate, if for example “local public health has identified you as a close contact of someone diagnosed with COVID-19”. 

   One would expect that one would voluntarily disclose to their close-contact co-workers or their employer if they are experiencing symptoms associated with COVID-19.  In the circumstances employers may consider a temporary requirement that employees disclose a positive diagnosis of COVID-19 where there is a risk of infection through close contact. 

   Workers who have COVID-19 or are exhibiting symptoms may be required to stay home from work until they are cleared to return by a doctor.  A doctor’s certificate should contain objective medical information to the extent necessary to maintain a healthy workplace, accommodate the employee, or prepare for their absence.  

   Finally, employees should know that reporting an actual or potential COVID-19 case will not result in any negative or adverse treatment by the employer.  That could be viewed as an illegal reprisal and land an employer in serious hot water. 

2. Can we require our employees to advise us if they have travelled to an affected area, or been around someone with COVID-19?

   Yes.  It is recommended that employers require employees or others as appropriate to disclose whether they have travelled to an “affected area” as designated by the Government of Canada.  At the time of writing the affected areas are: China (Mainland), Hong Kong, Iran, Italy, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea.  If disclosure is made, the employer can require the employee to provide information from a doctor confirming whether they are able to perform their work safely and without undue risk of infecting co-workers, customers, members of the public, etc. 

   Travelers are currently being advised to self-quarantine as a precaution upon return from their travels, so be prepared to arrange for employees to work from home where possible.

   Likewise, it is recommended that employers temporarily require employees to disclose close contact with a COVID-19 patient, and provide clearance from a doctor before returning to the workplace. 

3. Is an employee who is off work due to COVID-19 entitled to be paid?
   The answer to this question depends on your workplace policies, and the employment contract or collective agreement.  If the employee is entitled to paid leave for illness, or if they elect to use paid vacation days, then they should be paid while away from work.  Otherwise, the leaves provided by the Employment Standards Act, 2000 in Ontario protect the employee’s job, but do not require an employer to make payment.  Consider further whether the employee has access to short-term disability benefits, and remember that they may be able to access Employment Insurance benefits. 

4. Does WSIB cover COVID-19? 

   The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board receives infection disease claims, and benefits may be available to an employee who contracts coronavirus as a result of work-related exposure.  Employers should consider whether they really require employees to conduct travel to “affected areas”, or whether alternate arrangements can and should be made in the current environment.

5. What are our options?
   Each case turns on its specific facts and circumstances, but employers have options with how they will operate during the COVID-19 outbreak.  Some options to consider including the following:

   1. Design and circulate an infectious-disease policy and enforce it;
   2. Encourage healthy habits in the workplace, including hand-washing.  Provide hand-sanitizer;
   3. Limit work-related travel and prepare alternate arrangements for conducting business;
   4. Implement or extend your work from home policy;
   5. Know what medical information to ask for, and be consistent among all employees.  Do not request different or more information based on an employee’s racial or ethnic background;
   6. Ensure that all medical information received is handled confidentially.  Ensure that medical information is stored separately and securely, and not disclosed unless absolutely necessary;
   7. Be prepared to respond to work refusals by understanding employees’ rights to refuse unsafe work, and employers’ responsibilities to investigate with a joint health and safety member (if applicable);
   8. Limit visitors to the workplace.

Final Thoughts 

For additional information and resources, click on the links below: 

https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html

https://www.ontario.ca/page/2019-novel-coronavirus

https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/diseases-and-conditions/infectious-diseases/respiratory-diseases/novel-coronavirus

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019