Your Employees

Laying off staff PRE-COVID

An employee is laid off when they’re given less work or no work with the plan that the employee will return to a regular work schedule. If an employee’s hours are reduced, they are considered laid off as soon as they earn less than 50 percent of their weekly wages at the regular rate (averaged over the previous eight weeks).

Layoffs can be considered a termination of employment and employers must give written notice and/or pay compensation to employees.

**A layoff is considered a termination of employment when the employer has no intention of recalling the employee to work**

Small Business BC Article on Layoffs with COVID-19

• Temporary layoffs can only be: Up to 13 weeks in a period of 20 weeks (about three months in a period of five months) OR A period of time in which an employee covered by a collective agreement has the right to be recalled
• General: Termination, layoff or dismissal
• Group termination: A group termination of employment is the termination of employment of 50 or more employees working at a single industrial establishment either on the same date or within any 4 week period. Group Termination of Employment

• Individual termination: Individual Terminations of Employment

• Employment Standards Act & Regulation Act Part 8 — Termination of Employment Exceptions – Act Part 8, Section 65
• Business insurance around COVID-19

Staff Assistance

Health Link BC – COVID 19

EI assistance/human resources

With the plan that the employee will return to a regular work schedule. If an employee’s hours are reduced, they are considered laid off as soon as they earn less than 50 percent of their weekly wages at the regular rate (averaged over the previous eight weeks).

EI sickness benefits: What these benefits offer:

1. Gather supporting documents – You must have your records of employment (ROEs), but a medical certificate won’t be necessary for those who have been asked to self-isolate or quarantine. Service Canada advises people to apply right away even if you don’t have these documents as you can send them in later.
2. Complete the online application– This includes making sure you have: the names and addresses of your employers in the last 52 weeks, the dates employed with each employer and the reasons you’re no longer employed, and personal information including mailing address, Social Insurance Number (SIN), and banking information.
3. Provide supporting documents- You can visit My Service Canada Account (MSCA) to view ROEs that have been issued to you by past and current employers.
4. Receive access code by mail – Service Canada will mail you a benefit statement, which includes a 4-digit access code. You need this code and your SIN to get updates about your application and to complete biweekly reports.