The following is information for federally regulated employees whose employment is governed by the Canada Labour Code (the “Code”). If you are a provincially regulated employee, please see our earlier blog post with information about how your rights may be impacted by COVID-19.

Written by Sara Hanson and Melissa VanderHouwen

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Canadian society is rapidly taking the idea of social distancing more seriously. From a public health perspective, social distancing is a laudable response to this unprecedented modern health crisis, but the trickle down effects for Canadian workers could be significant.

Starting this week, more and more employers have been encouraging employees who are able to do so to work from home. However, working from home is simply not possible for employees in many industries, especially those working in the service and retail industries that demand daily contact with the public. In those industries, many employers are now opting or being required to close, meaning that many employees are being told they are being laid off indefinitely, or even terminated from their employment.