The new rules regarding the Infectious Disease Emergency Leave will make it much more difficult for them to collect income if they do not return to work when it is available.
The period of time that is designated as “COVID-19 Pandemic” is March 1, 2020 to July 3, 2021 (and this may be extended if needed). In order to be eligible for job protection under this leave, the work shortage/layoff must be beyond the control of the employer, for example a nail salon closed due to Public Health restrictions or a restaurant operating at limited capacity.
Of course, employers must be cautious of Human Rights accommodations such as child or elder care. But if your employee is refusing to work because they are afraid of catching COVID-19, the employer can defer to the Ministry of Labour and/or the local Public Health authorities to confirm the employer’s compliance with the required sanitization practices.
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