COVID-19 Updates | Weekly Workplace Recap from April 30 to May 6, 2021

Below are the key announcements from the Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and BC governments that touch on workplace issues from April 30 to May 6, 2021.

Manitoba

Invests $8 Million in the Canada-Manitoba Job Grant

Manitoba has boosted its investment in the Canada-Manitoba Job Grant. The total for this year will now reach $8 million to help more employers with employee training.

The job grant helps employers offset the costs of training new employees, or costs associated with developing the skills of existing workers to meet the requirements of their present job, or to attain a promotion.

Eligible employers can receive up to $10,000 per employee to assist with training costs delivered by a third party, and up to $100,000 of total funding per employer.

Visit the Canada-Manitoba Job Grant for more information. 

Saskatchewan

Extends the Small Business Emergency Payment Program

The Saskatchewan Small Business Emergency Payment (SSBEP) program has been extended an additional month to support small businesses province-wide during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The extended support is available to businesses across the province that were ordered to temporarily close or substantially curtail operations due to public health orders.

The program is currently accepting applications for the April 1-30, 2021, eligibility period. The deadline to apply is May 30, 2021.

Visit the SSBEP webpage for more information. 

Alberta

Announces Expanded Public Health Measures Effective May 5

New restrictions come into force effective May 5, unless indicated otherwise, and will remain in place for at least three weeks. 

The following public health measures for the workplace will apply to all communities with more than 50 cases per 100,000 people and with 30 or more active cases:

Working from Home

• Working from home remains mandatory unless the employer requires the employee's physical presence to operate effectively.

• Where at work for operational effectiveness, employees must mask for all indoor settings, except in work stations or where two-metre physical distancing or adequate physical barriers are in place. 

Workplace Transmission

• Any workplace, except work camps and essential and critical services, with transmission of three or more cases will be required by health officials to close for 10 days.

• Any workplace that does not comply will be subject to enforcement.

A complete list of restrictions are available for outdoor social gatherings, schools, retail, restaurants, places of worship, personal and wellness services, outdoor sports and fitness, funerals, and post-secondary institutions.

Announces New COVID-19 Protection Requirements for Workplaces

An order updating COVID-19 protection requirements for workplaces and post-secondary institutions is effective as of May 2, 2021.

Employers must have a COVID-19 safety plan in place, encourage remote work, implement a daily health check for employees coming on site, prevent congregating in common areas and require masks wearing in common areas.

Resources for employers are available at WorkSafeBC:

• Develop, review, and update your COVID-19 safety plan
• Controlling exposure
• COVID-19 inspections
• Mandatory masks in public places
• PHO orders: Expedited workplace closures
• PHO orders: Worker health checks

Sarah Visca is the Operations Manager at ConnectsUs HR, a company that provides tools & resources to quickly set up a Human Resources department.  
You can contact her here. 

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