Employment lawyer on returning to work after contracting COVID-19

As COVID-19 cases delayed a return to the ice for the Vancouver Canucks, questions were raised on when players should return to regularly scheduled games.

How should employers and employees navigate employee rights if staff contracts the virus?

An employment lawyer at Samfiru Tumarkin LLP speaks with CIty News Vancouver to discuss employee rights and employment regulations during COVID-19.

00:41 – When is it safe to return to the workplace?

If an employee is symptomatic and a medical professional has determined they should not be returning to work, an employer cannot and should not be forcing the employee’s return.

1:06 – If an employee does not feel safe returning to work, what can they do?

Employees who feel unsafe should communicate their concerns with their employer. However, if an employer has taken precautions and followed health and safety regulations, feeling unsafe is not enough of a reason for an employee to remain home. In order to remain home, an employee would have to be able to point out a specific instance in which an employer is violating protocols.

1:40 – What should employers do if an employee chooses to refuse to return to the workplace?

Employees who refuse to return to work and have not engaged in a work refusal through Work Safe BC or have a medical condition, are considered to have abandoned their jobs.