Are more employees refusing to return to work during COVID-19?

How can employees and employers navigate ensuring everyone feels safe in the workplace during a pandemic?

A growing number of Ontario residents have voiced concerns and complaints and some are refusing to return to work despite being called back.

Employment lawyer Alex Lucifero joins The Goods host Dahlia Kurtz on CFRA Radio to discuss what course of action employees and employers should take moving forward.

• 3:06 – Are we lacking labour laws that need to be implemented for special circumstances like COVID-19?
  While most employment laws do favour employees, the risk can’t be completely eliminated but there should be as little risk as possible
• 6:07 – There has been a high number of work refusals in Ontario; does this mean people simply do not want to return to work or laws are not protecting employees to the extent that they would like?
  Actual workplace refusals largely fall under complaints and are mostly resolved which statistics do not show. Usually, through the complaint process, a solution is found.
• 9:18 – Do employers try and seek retribution against employees when complaints are filed with the ministry of labour? Employers want to resolve issues for the majority.
• 11:03 – Will employees utilize stress leave more now that they’ve been separated from the physical workspace and evaluated their mental health differently?
  Doctors will have to determine whether or not there is an actual medical concern.
  
• 14:29 – How do employees navigate a general fear of contracting COVID-19 and returning to the workplace? Will pre-existing health conditions be of consideration?