As workplaces reopen, a major challenge employers face is managing a staff of mixed vaccination status. Some employees may have concerns about daily contact with their unvaccinated coworkers. Others may worry they’ll be judged or stigmatized for their choice or inability to receive the vaccine. It is important that you understand your obligations in this...
Besides heat stress and sun exposure, summer insects are another safety hazard you must protect your outdoor workers from. Common summer pests include ticks, mosquitoes, and stinging insects such as bees, wasps, hornets, and ants. Ticks may be carriers of Lyme disease and other bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Mosquitoes, too, can carry infections such as...
The wait is over. As more people became fully vaccinated across Canada, the public had been waiting for new guidance on what those who’ve received their second dose can and cannot do. The Canadian government has now released its new health and safety guidelines for the fully vaccinated, partially vaccinated, and unvaccinated. After more than a year of heavy restrictions, it is natural to hope...
If your employees perform work tasks that are repetitive, or involve awkward postures or use of high force, they may be at risk of developing repetitive strain injuries. What are repetitive strain injuries? Repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) or musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are injuries to soft tissues, such as tendons, muscles, nerves, joints, that develop over...
*This program ended on October 23, 2021, and was replaced by a more targeted program called the Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit. The Canada Worker Lockdown Benefit expired on May 7, 2022. This summer looks to be shaping up. COVID-19 case numbers are going down. Vaccination rates are going up. As your province slowly reopens, you...
Black Canadian business owners and entrepreneurs can now apply to a new loan program. The Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund provides loans up to $250,000 to Black business owners and entrepreneurs across Canada. The program opened for application on May 31, 2021. The Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund is a partnership between the Government of Canada, Black-led...
The COVID-19 crisis has caused much economic devastation. While it has adversely impacted businesses across industries, certain sectors, such as hospitality and tourism, have been the worst hit. To help small and medium businesses that have seen their revenues go down by 50%, or more, due to the pandemic, the federal government is offering a new...
On May 25, 2021, British Columbia announced their four-step province wide reopening plan entitled ‘BC’s Restart’. BC’s reopening plan entered its first step on the same day it was announced. The province will progress through the steps based on increasing vaccination rates, and declining COVID-19 case counts, hospitalizations, and deaths. BC has also extended the...
On April 19, 2021, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland delivered Canada’s 2021 federal budget. The budget provides more supports for small to mid-sized businesses that have struggled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With over $100 billion in new spending, the budget will aid in bringing some economic recovery for the country. This...
*Blog update: Applications are no longer being accepted. The federal government’s Regional Relief and Recovery Fund (RRRF) provides financial support to businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Fund is available to businesses that applied to other COVID-19 relief programs and were unsuccessful. Or that received support but are still experiencing financial hardship. Those eligible can...
