Managing Through COVID-19: What To Think About When Considering Temporary Layoffs

COVID-19 continues to have an immense impact on Canadian workplaces resulting in uncertain consequences for the workplace. Given the economic challenges that continue to grow, either as a result of voluntary or forced operational shutdowns, many employers are implementing, or at least considering, temporary layoffs. Here are the key legal considerations when dealing with temporary layoffs.

What is a Temporary Layoff?

• Generally, a layoff is a period when an employer ceases to provide work and (in most cases) compensation to an employee temporarily. Where permitted by relevant employment legislation, the parties treat the employment relationship as ongoing, despite this interruption of work and/or compensation, with the understanding that work and compensation may resume in the future. Notably, in British Columbia there are no provisions allowing a temporary layoff unless a layoff is: allowed under a collective agreement, expressly provided for in the employee's