COVID-19 Update: June 10, 2020

Dear ABLE BC Members and Industry Colleagues, 

We are sending you a brief update today to share with you:

  • Invite to Zoom meeting with BCRFA on Friday, June 12 at 10:00 am about physical distancing and patio extensions

  • Employment security in the midst of a pandemic: important information on temporary layoffs, termination pay, and potential employer liabilities

Find all past updates from ABLE BC here.

As always, if you have any additional questions or need to reach us you can email: jeff@ablebc.ca or danielle@ablebc.ca.

Zoom Meeting on June 12: Physical Distancing and Patio Extensions

Join ABLE BC and the BCRFA for a Zoom meeting on Friday, June 12, 2020 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am. 

This free session is intended for food and liquor primaries who are reopening or have reopened and have questions about physical distancing and temporary patio extensions. 

The session will start with a 20-minutes presentation followed by opportunity for questions + answers. Pre-registration is not required. 

Zoom Meeting Details: 

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Danielle: danielle@ablebc.ca. 

Employment Security in the Midst of a Pandemic

Before the COVID-19 pandemic struck, the issue of temporary layoffs under provincial employment standards legislation as rarely discussed. 

However, since late March, one of the top questions on the minds of employers and employees has been, “What are our rights and responsibilities concerning layoffs during the pandemic?“

Mathews Dinsdale & Clark LLP, like all employment lawyers in British Columbia and across Canada, have been providing their best advice while hoping for clear direction from government and employment standards authorities.

Ryan Anderson (Partner, Mathews Dinsdale & Clark LLP) has shared with us a comprehensive article on employment security in the midst of a pandemic. 

We strongly encourage employers to download and read the article here.

In the article, Ryan provides a brief overview of how the BC government has chosen to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic’s immediate and continuing impact on the workplace.

With reference to the responses of other provincial governments across Canada, Ryan also provides some recommendations that are designed to preserve employment relationships and employment security as businesses in BC struggle to survive this crisis. 

Download the article here. 

Please note: this article here is not intended to provide a complete dissertation concerning statutory layoff and termination notice requirements in BC or legal advice in this respect. For this, please do not hesitate to contact Mathews Dinsdale in Vancouver: 604-636-2050.

For more information:

Public Health Agency of Canada Website

Updates from the Government of British Columbia

Updates and Resources from WorkSafeBC

Updates and Resources from ABLE BC

Human Resources & Occupational Health & Safety Info from go2HR

If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact ABLE BC: 
604-688-5560 or info@ablebc.ca.

Ann Brydle