Do I HAVE to go back to work during the COVID-19 pandemic? – 980 CKNW

Does an employee have to go back to work during the COVID-19 pandemic if they don’t feel comfortable doing so? Lior Samfiru is a Vancouver employment lawyer and founding partner of Samfiru Tumarkin LLP. He joined host Jill Bennett on Global News Radio 980 CKNW in Vancouver to talk about employee rights during COVID-19., and what steps workers and employers need to take to ensure a workplace is safe during these uncertain times in Canada.

• I am working from home, and don’t feel safe returning to the workplace, even though my employer has taken steps to make it safe. What can I do?
• Is my employer required to allow me to work from home If I request it? Do I have a right to work from home if it continues to be a viable option?
• I have a medical condition. Does that qualify me to work remotely from home during the COVID-19 pandemic?
• I am not satisfied with the steps my employer has taken to make the workplace safe. What should I do?
• Employees are being told to stay home from work if they show symptoms related to COVID-19. What are the consequences of this policy?
• Do employers have a legal right to screen their employees for COVID-19 beyond a temperature check?

Learn more about your rights during the coronavirus pandemic through our Coronavirus (COVID-19) Knowledge Centre, where you can find resources about your employment rights during COVID-19.