Businesses close in second COVID wave: National Observer Interview

As the pandemic continues into the fall and winter months and cases appear to soar, health officials in B.C have decided to implement further restrictions and closures. As a result, banquet halls and night clubs have been closed. Many in the hospitality industry are worried what another wave of COVID-19 will do to a sector that has yet to recover.

A Vancouver employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP spoke with the National Observer regarding the ongoing shutdowns and restrictions.

“If another shutdown plays out in B.C., it will have a profound impact on employees,” the lawyer says. With closures unfortunately layoffs appear to be inevitable. However, they urge employees to consider whether or not to accept the layoff or treat it as a termination.

“An employee who has been laid off can usually assume they’ve been terminated and claim severance. And severance isn’t necessarily limited to the minimal payouts legislated under B.C.’s employment standards act,” the lawyer states.

While the previous shutdown was a difficult situation for many in the hospitality and food sector, programs such as the wage subsidy and the province’s choice to extend the period employers could legally lay off employees provided more comfort for employees. For more on Samfiru Tumarkin LLP’s thoughts, read the article here.