CHAUDHRI: Working from home ending soon for some
Late last week, Premier Doug Ford announced a significant expansion to the list of Ontario businesses that will reopen this week.
If you are in construction, retail, health services, recreation, media operations, car sales, animal services or home services, you may have already received your recall notice.
Those of us left teleworking, wonder how long it may last. Employer reactions have varied immensely.
On Wednesday, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey announced employees will be allowed to work from home “forever” and that those who want to return to work won’t likely do so until at least September.
Google has announced the majority of its employees will work from home until 2021 but some essential staffers will be allowed back in June or July. This was after Google previously estimated a June 1 return.
Facebook made a similar announcement, extending work from home protocols.
Tech giants like the ones above can facilitate remote working in a way most businesses cannot. For companies to generate revenue many need their employees on site, which, for many employees, is difficult especially if in receipt of the CERB benefit.
With conflicting messages from different employers and the government, many of you sent me questions. Let’s get to it:
My employer wrote me that I could be recalled to work within a couple of weeks. I am still receiving CERB. I don’t feel comfortable returning because I don’t feel safe. Can I decline the return at least until my CERB runs out?
Fear alone will not allow an employee to refuse a recall. If you flatly refuse you may be deemed to have abandoned your employment. If, however, there is a legitimate reason tied to the fear for your return, including the fact that you or a family member might be immunocompromised or that your employer has not taken steps to make the workplace safe, document these concerns in an email to your employer. Obtaining a medical note from a doctor will help your employer understand what accommodations you might need to return to work safely.
Ask your employer what steps have been taken to ensure a safe working environment. If you feel more comfortable returning to work with a mask, gloves, or if you can facilitate most of your role by teleworking, have that conversation with your employer now so that you can get back to work whether it be remotely or in the workplace without jeopardizing your job.
My employer is receiving Federal Wage Subsidy but is still cutting my salary (it’s now been extended to 13 weeks of a 20% salary reduction). Is this legit?
It is only legitimate if you agreed to the wage reduction. If you didn’t explicitly agree but time marches on with no complaint from you, you may be deemed to have condoned the change. Documenting your resistance is very important to avoid this.
If you have accepted a 20% reduction in hours that aligns with the salary reduction, an employer is only required to pay for work actually done. If you are ready to work full-time immediately, let your employer know in writing that you are ready and able to work at a 100% capacity starting from today. If you don’t tell your employer that, they will assume you are agreeable with this new arrangement.
I work in a dental office and my co-workers have been asked to report to work for only three to four hours per week in addition to online learning. Can my employer only bring me back for a few hours a week assuming I am in receipt of the CERB?
Accepting fewer hours with lower pay can be dangerous for employees unless clear parameters around this arrangement are established. If you are a full-time employee you are not required to return to work for only a few hours a week. You may however accept the work but make it clear in writing that you are ready and able to return to full-time work immediately. If you earn less than $1000 a month you will still be eligible to receive the CERB payment. Employers should not use this time as a period to rewrite employment agreements or change hours and rates of pay.