UPDATE: Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) Press release on November 5, 2020 from Department of Finance Canada. AVAILABLE: Retroactively to September 27, 2020, until June 2021 OVERVIEW: Proposed details provided for the first 12 weeks of the program (until December 19, 2020). This information applies to organizations that experience a revenue decline and may qualify […]
As employers, proactively supporting employee mental health in the workplace is more important now than ever, as the impact of the pandemic continues to pose new challenges for businesses and employees. Overnight, we saw a need to adapt to a new way of living and working. According to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), only 32% of Canadian employees feel their organization’s leaders are addressing mental health in the workplace, and this number continues to rise as fears surrounding “what will come next” beyond this pandemic grow.
Updates on Canadian Benefits For Business NEW BENEFIT: Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) UPDATE: Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA) UPDATE: Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) UPDATE: Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) NEW BENEFIT: Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) Based on the news release on October 9, 2020 – Department of Finance Canada OVERVIEW: […]
Introducing the COVID-19 Response Measures Act The COVID-19 Response Measures Act received Royal Assent on October 2, 2020, providing for several welcome forms of income relief for individuals impacted by COVID-19. Both employers and employees should be aware of these new changes, which are available to individuals ineligible for Employment Insurance (EI) who have had […]
On Friday September 25, 2020, the Ontario Government released an amendment to Ontario Regulation 364/20, the “Rules for Areas in Stage 3” under the Reopening Act, 2020. This amendment requires that all employers must screen employees and essential visitors prior to entry into their workplaces. Employers may utilize the below Screening Tool for Workplaces (Businesses and Organizations) http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/publichealth/coronavirus/docs/workplace_screening_tool_guidance.pdf Screening should […]
On July 13, 2020, two major updates were announced: Ontario’s regional plan to move into Stage 3 of reopening which will take effect on July 17th as well as the extension to the CEWS program until December 2020. Stage 3 Reopening This information was decided based on the regions that had the lowest amount of […]
Stage 2 of Ontario’s Framework for Reopening the Province On June 8, 2020, Premier Doug Ford announced that Ontario will be taking a regional approach to move into stage 2 of reopening the province. Specifically, many regions at the outskirts of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) will be able to move into stage 2 as […]
Employment Standards Act Amendment – June 2, 2020 Reg. 228/20, Infectious Disease Emergency Leave On May 29, 2020, the Ontario Government passed a Regulation under the Ontario Employment Standards Act, 2000 (the “ESA”) which confirms that, among other things, temporary reductions and/or changes in hours/wages due to COVID-19, or temporary layoffs due to COVID-19 that […]
What is the CEWS? The CEWS is a massive $73 billion wage subsidy program that will be administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (“CRA”), in an effort to allow eligible employers to keep their employees on the payroll (i.e. to prevent interruptions to their employment status) Who is eligible for the CEWS? Eligible employers may […]
The traditional five-day, 40-hour workweek has long been regarded as the “standard” for operational efficiency and consistency. However, the advancement of technology in the workplace has provided the opportunity for scheduling flexibility and “work from home” options. Consequently, employers must now weigh the merits of a flexible workplace environment. As a Human Resources and Employment Law firm, we work with various employers with mindsets ranging from traditional to progressive as we explore new trends and find creative solutions that fit their workplace. Here is what we are hearing and seeing.
