COVID-19

While essential workplace employers have a statutory duty to take reasonable steps to protect the health and safety of employees, privacy laws still apply during the pandemic. Privacy laws impact what employers are permitted to do in terms of screening and monitoring employees during the COVID-19 crisis. Ontario’s Privacy Commissioner has not yet provided any […]

Many employers in the City of Kawartha Lakes, particularly those designated as “non-essential” have been forced to scale-down or cease operating, including by provincial emergency order. Even “essential” workplaces have been forced to lay off, place on infectious disease leave or terminate employees due to the pandemic. Uncertainty abounds for everyone, in terms of the

To offer more assistance to CKL employers who are enrolled, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (“WSIB”) has now announced a “relief package”, permitting employers to defer premium reporting and payments until August 31, 2020. The WSIB has also announced that the costs for COVID-19 claims will be allocated on a Schedule-wide basis and, therefore, will not

If you need urgent financial help and you live in the City of Kawartha Lakes, you could be eligible for approximately $733 for a month if you are a single person and need help paying for food and shelter. More if you have children. Up to 48 days of support is available depending on your

Today the federal government announced we should only leave home if it is "absolutely essential". If you cannot use a click-and-collect service to buy your essential goods, here is an updated protocol to follow when you go to an essential store, like groceries and pharmaceuticals:  follow the containment measures implemented by the essential service, including

Today the federal Government announced more flexible rules for claiming the Canada emergency response benefit (the “CERB”), which previously excluded, for example, students and employees or self-employed people working reduced hours. They also announced a wage boost for essential workers who make less than $2,500 a month, including those working in long-term care facilities for the elderly.

To facilitate the employ of our youth in the City of Kawartha Lakes, those between 15 and 30, including students and summer students, the federal government has changed, temporarily at least, its Canada Summer Jobs program.  Enhanced wage subsidies are now available for these potential employers: not-for-profit organizations; the public sector; and private sector organizations

Due the shutdown of non-essential workplaces, effective March 24, 2020, many employers have laid off, or will continue to consider temporarily laying off employees, particularly if those employers do not qualify as “essential workplaces”. This is not a risk-fee, easy-to-do step by an employer, despite the catastrophic circumstances. JUDGE-MADE LAW IN ONTARIO – LAY OFF CAN

What are the employer’s obligations to an employee when an employee is not working in the office? With so many employees now working from home, employers’ health and safety obligations need to be considered.  ONTARIO HEATH AND SAFETY LEGISLATION DOES NOT APPLY TO WORKING AT HOME: The health and safety of employees is largely governed by

An update on enforcement measures available in the City of Kawartha Lakes to require COVID-19 containment:  FEDERAL GOVERNMENT: for failure to quarantine for 14 days after returning to Canada, a fine of up to $750,000 and imprisonment up to six months;    for causing risk of imminent death or serious bodily harm to another, while