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ARTICLE · 13 MAY 2020

Key Considerations When Re-opening Your Business

Miller Thomson
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In recent days, much of the conversation around the COVID-19 pandemic has shifted to the subject of re-opening various sectors of the economy and the eventual return to a "new normal".

CanadaEmployment and HR
Lisa Goodfellow
Lisa Goodfellow
Michael Cleveland
Michael Cleveland
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In recent days, much of the conversation around the COVID-19 pandemic has shifted to the subject of re-opening various sectors of the economy and the eventual return to a "new normal". While the precise details of this re-opening remain unscheduled in many provinces, including in Ontario, what is certain is that employers will encounter a slate of employment law issues as they endeavour to re-open.

Among the first issues that employers will have to consider is bringing laid-off employees back to work. Employers need to be aware of the rules governing temporary layoffs and the proper method for recalling laid-off workers. Moreover, the fact that employees will be returning to work does not mean that those employees' lives will have returned to normal–they may continue to face unexpected demands such as childcare obligations or caring for an ill family member. Thus, it is likely that employers will receive an above-average number of requests for leaves of absence or

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