Information Links for Managing Human Resources COVID-19 Response
Introduction
This infosheet provides a summary of information and links to help you understand changes related to managing staff on your farm operation. The information is current as of the publication date, however, it may be subject to frequent changes.
Resources
Workplace Safety and Insurance Board
- WSIB premium payment deferrals for up to 6 months - Newsrelease - WSIB announces $1.9 billion in financial relief for Ontario businesses
- WSIB's COVID-19 Information page
- WSIB Financial Relief Package
- WSIB FAQ - related to COVID-19
Employment Standards Amendment Act - Changes
The Ontario Legislature has passed the Employment Standards Amendment Act (Infectious Disease Emergencies), 2020 to provide job-protected leave to employees in isolation or quarantine due to COVID-19, or those who need to be away from work to care for children because of school or day care closures or to care for other relatives.
- Backgrounder - Employment Standards Amendment Act (Infectious Disease Emergencies), 2020
- Workplace Safety and Prevention Services - Occupational Health and Safety Legislation Tracker
- Legislative Assembly of Ontario - Bill 186, Employment Standards Amendment Act (Infectious Disease Emergencies), 2020
The Bill amends the Employment Standards Act, 2000 to address when emergency leave is available to employees in case of infectious disease emergencies.
The amendments entitle an employee to a leave of absence without pay, starting on the prescribed date, if the employee will not be performing the duties of his or her position because of various reasons related to a designated infectious disease, including that the employee is under medical investigation, supervision or treatment; that the employee is in quarantine or isolation; that the employee is providing care or support to another individual; or that the employee is affected by travel restrictions. Restrictions on the entitlement are specified, and related amendments are made addressing the evidence of entitlement required, when the entitlement ends and the regulation-making powers.
Work Place Safety and Prevention Services Funding
The governments of Canada and Ontario are partnering with the Work Place Safety and Prevention Services (WSPS), to provide agri-food businesses, organizations and associations with access to educational resources, tools, and consultation services, to help the sector meet COVID-19 health and safety requirements.
Through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, WSPS will develop and introduce industry specific COVID-19 resources for farm businesses and provincially licensed meat plants.
There are two main components. First, WSPS will develop a toolkit to inform and guide approaches and measures to effectively manage the risks of COVID-19 in these operations. The toolkit will include pandemic response and recovery resources. Second, Ontario farmers, farm organizations/association and provincially licensed meat processors will have access to consulting services, in-person or virtually, to meet COVID-19 occupational health and safety requirements and guidelines. Further details at Agri-Food Workplace Protection Program: Agriculture Producers.
COVID-19 Ontario Site
Canadian Agricultural Human Resources Council (CAHRC)
- Emerging AgriWorkforce Issues - Information and Tips on COVID-19
Farm Management Canada
Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA)
- OFA Information and Resources on COVID-19 Pandemic
- Guide to Operating your Essential Farm Business during COVID-19
- OFA-CAHRC Resources for Managing Farm Employees in a Pandemic
- OFA Human Resources Toolkit Details - AgriHR Toolkit, developed by Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC)
- OFA CAHRC Agri-HR Toolkit Coupon/Code - provides free access to Toolkit
Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association
Canadian Federation of Agriculture
Mental Health
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Outbreaks can be stressful - information to help you cope
- Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Mental Health for Farmers - First Aid Kit
- OFA Managing Farm Stress during COVID 19
- OFA Mental Health and Wellness
Temporary Foreign Worker Program
- FARMS - Foreign Agricultural Resource Management Services
- OFA Guidance for Employers of Temporary Foreign Workers regarding COVID-19
- Government of Canada - How the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is affecting immigration, refugees, citizenship and passport services: visitors, foreign workers and students
- Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association - Guidance Document for Temporary Foreign Workers Regarding COVID-19
- Government of Canada (Federal) Temporary Foreign Workers Resources:
- Amendments under the Immigration, Refugee Protection Regulations (IPPR) including further requirements for employers and workers (e.g. housing, notifications to ESDC, hygienic requirements, etc.) and provides notice of Service Canada's authoritative powers to conduct an inspection with or without notice.
- A letter to employers seeking to bring in temporary foreign workers to Canada
- Online FAQs that provide guidance to employers regarding the requirements
- New measures under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program
- A guidance document on isolation protocols for temporary foreign workers to industry and provinces released by the Public Health Agency of Canada
OMAFRA Resources
- Employment openings and training resources in Ontario's agriculture and food sector - Agriculture and food jobs in Ontario
Provincial Protocols and Guidelines
- Ontario's Ministry of Health (MOH) released provincial guidelines to the local Public Health Units based on the federal guidelines, which includes protective measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
- MLTSD issued occupational health and safety guidelines specific to the agriculture and food processing sector.
For additional information please contact
Agricultural Information Contact Centre:
1-877-424-1300
1-855-696-2811 (TTY)
E-mail: ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca
ontario.ca/omafra
For more information:
Toll Free: 1-877-424-1300
E-mail: ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca