COVID-19: Employment Rights for Working Parents when Kids Return to School

With Ontario school boards contemplating a mix of in-person and remote learning for students this fall amid a COVID-19 pandemic, working parents across the province are left wondering and worrying about their options and obligations.

Lior Samfiru, a Toronto employment lawyer and partner at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP, joined host Jeff McArthur on Global News Radio 640 Toronto to explain the rights of working parents during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the obligations of employers and how far they must go to accommodate their employees.

What They Discussed

• Do employers have to accommodate parents based on their child care needs during the pandemic?
• Does the government need to give parents additional workplace protections if they need to stay home with their children in the fall?
• Will parents be able to adapt to this changing situation?
• Working Parents should talk to their employer now about accommodation for child care in the fall
• Does employment law need to be updated to adapt to changes in society (gig economy, COVID-19)?