COVID-19 Conversations: Returning to the Workplace: Legal Considerations for Employers - Feed Your Brain Lunch and Learn Series

Publication Type: 
Webinar Presentations
Topic: 
COVID-19
Occupational Disease
Mental Health
New and Young Workers
Supervision
Language: 
English

Legal considerations during pandemic

On July 15, 2020, Workplace Safety North hosted a webinar, “COVID-19 Conversations: Returning to the Workplace - Legal Considerations for Employers,” as part of the free monthly Feed Your Brain lunch and learn webinar series to discuss the most pressing issues we are all facing. 
 
The webinar features Brad Smith, a lawyer and partner at Weilers Law who practices labour relations and employment law. Smith is a status member of the Cree Nation and has a special interest in serving Aboriginal clients. He also served as Weilers’s Gender Diversity Officer.
 
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YouTube video: 
COVID-19 Conversations: Returning to the Workplace - Legal Considerations for Employers https://youtu.be/mjNn-QSp4Ac
Topics discussed:
  • General considerations for businesses re-opening 
  • Legal considerations around health and safety precautions, absenteeism, and work refusals  
  • Employer and employee responsibilities   
The webinar is hosted by Angele Poitras, WSN Community Engagement Specialist and Certified Psychological Health and Safety Advisor. 
 
About WSN Feed Your Brain Lunch and Learn Series: Once a month in May, June, July and August, the ‘COVID-19 Conversations’ series features a free webinar on issues related to the current global pandemic, including; leadership and workplace culture, mental health and wellbeing, and back-to-work planning. 

Resources

General:
COVID-19 Public Resources – Public Health Ontario 
 
New virtual health and safety training underway – Workplace Safety North  
 
Right to refuse or stop work where health and safety in danger – Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD) 
 
Ontario employer legal responsibilities under Ontario law, employers have the duty to keep workers and workplaces safe – Ontario MLTSD 
 
 
Mental health and wellness: 
Workplace Mental Health Resources – Workplace Safety North 
 
COVID-19 and Mental Health @ Work – Government of Canada  
 
COVID-19 Resources – Mental Health Commission of Canada  
 
Wellness Together e-mental health supports and access to virtual counselling services to everyone in Canada – Government of Canada 
Past COVID-19 Conversations recordings and resources: