H1N1 - Are you Ready - Oct 21, 2009
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By Terra Welsh
While there has been a flurry of media attention paid to H1N1 in recent months, there has been limited focus on what Manitoba businesses should do to prepare for an H1N1 pandemic. A pandemic could have a devastating effect on business operations and it is vital that businesses do what they can to be ready. Provincial workplace safety and health, employment standards, and human rights legislation place certain obligations on employers and employees. This brief article will highlight some of the reasons that employers should prepare for an H1N1 pandemic and the statutory obligations and rights of which Manitoba employers should be mindful. Please note that the obligations of health care providers and child care centres are beyond the scope of this article.
While there has been a flurry of media attention paid to H1N1 in recent months, there has been limited focus on what Manitoba businesses should do to prepare for an H1N1 pandemic. A pandemic could have a devastating effect on business operations and it is vital that businesses do what they can to be ready. Provincial workplace safety and health, employment standards, and human rights legislation place certain obligations on employers and employees. This brief article will highlight some of the reasons that employers should prepare for an H1N1 pandemic and the statutory obligations and rights of which Manitoba employers should be mindful. Please note that the obligations of health care providers and child care centres are beyond the scope of this article.
Why business should prepare for an H1N1 pandemic
Many health authorities are reporting that it is a matter of when, not if, an influenza pandemic will occur. This decade alone Canadians have combated SARS, the avian flu, and now H1N1. A pandemic flu, whether it be H1N1 or some other virus, may have a serious impact on business operations. It has the potential to cause high rates of employee absenteeism, supply chain problems, changes in the demand for certain products, drops in productivity and revenue, loss of reputation, loss of customers, and loss of market share.
By creating a pandemic plan, a business can do its best to prevent, or at least minimize the impact of, these potentially devastating effects. Additionally, employers should create a pandemic plan because of the statutory obligations they have under Manitoba law and because of the liability they may face if they cannot meet their contractual or regulatory obligations during a pandemic.
Preparing for H1N1 will also help reduce the spread of the flu and comfort employees during the stressful pre-pandemic, pandemic, and post-pandemic periods.
Statutory Rights and Obligations
Employers should be aware of their obligations and rights under Manitoba law, including those relating to:
- The duty to ensure the safety, health and welfare of all employees at work;
- The duty to provide information, instruction and training to employees to ensure the safety, health, and welfare of employees at work;
- The duty to consult and cooperate with the workplace safety and health committee or the workplace safety and health representative when one exists;
- Employees who are suffering from flu-like symptoms;
- Options for employees who are absent from work because they are sick, they are caring for a sick family member, or are assisting in the community;
- Options for emergency overtime;
- The duty to accommodate an employee with a disability; and
- The payment of employees should the workplace be shut down, the employer be unable to provide work to the employees, or the employees be unable to work.
Employers should also be mindful of the statutory obligations and rights of employees, including those relating to:
- The duty to take reasonable care to protect their health and safety and the health and safety of others who may be affected by their acts or omissions;
- The right to refuse dangerous work and the reporting requirements when such a refusal is made;
- The right to be paid if there is a dangerous work environment;
- Compassionate care leave and unpaid family leave; and
- The right not to be discriminated against based on disability.
Other Considerations
It is strongly recommended that businesses have a pandemic plan in place. In addition to the statutory rights and obligations outlined above, such a plan should consider what preventative measures the business will take. Employers must also review current company policies and employment agreements to ensure the pandemic plan complies with them.
Once a plan is formalized, it is very important that the plan’s contents, and any other expectations that the employer has, are shared with all employees.
If you have not yet finished your planning, wish us to review what you have prepared, or wish for additional information on any of the items listed above, a TDS lawyer would be happy to assist you.
Terra Welsh practises in the TDS Labour and Employment Law Group.
Find out more about the TDS Labour and Employment Law Group at www.tdslaw.com/L&E.
Listen to Scott Hoeppner's interview on CJOB 68 regarding H1N1 click here.
Listen to Scott Hoeppner's interview on CJOB 68 regarding H1N1 click here.
