What will the start of a new school year look like for working parents?

Labor lawyer Stan Fainzilberg says he understands parents’ concerns. “From a legal point of view, the government says it is now safe to send children to school,” Fainzilberg states.  “In a non-unionized work environment, the refusal to go to work will be perceived as an act of insubordination which can lead to dismissal.”

The employer, therefore, has no obligation to accommodate the personal choices of parents after the children return to school.

According to Ontario Labour Laws

• You cannot discriminate against one of your employees on the pretext that they have a family
• The employer’s approach must be based on good collaboration between the parties
• One should pursue alternative childcare options such as a babysitter at home, or have their child babysat in daycare, or have the grandparents look after them