Employment Lawyer Sheridan King Talks Employer Considerations Regarding Temporary Layoffs During COVID-19

July 29, 2020

Sheridan King, a member of our employment law team, joined Dan Hurley (Director and Chair-Elect of the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance) to contribute to a series being broadcast by VIEA to help Island businesses manage the challenges created by the pandemic.

Sheridan gave an overview of temporary layoffs under the B.C. Employment Standards Act, with particular reference to COVID-19. Her presentation focused on helping B.C. employers understand their obligations both under the ESA and common law, the issue of constructive dismissal, and the options available to help employers manage the impact of COVID-19 on their workforces.

Sheridan noted that there is room for creativity when it comes to implementing alternatives to temporary layoffs and referenced some possible solutions. She then offered insight on how Employers can avoid pitfalls if temporary layoffs are unavoidable, including preparing for the possibility of claims for constructive dismissal and human rights violations. The presentation concluded with a Q&A with participants that covered a wide range of topics and issues.

Watch the full presentation along with the Q&A HERE.

As noted during the presentation, the situation with COVID-19 and the government programs available to assist employers and employees is fluid and continuing to evolve. If you have questions about your situation, we invite you to contact Sheridan or the Employment Law group to discuss your circumstances and options.