- Develop a COVID-19 Workplace Safety plan that outlines the specific controls that will be put into place to make the workplace safer for everyone. Consider using the COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan information and template. Although posting a safety plan is no longer a regulatory requirement, it is still wise to have a plan in place and to review it regularly.
- Post signage at entrances promoting a "mask friendly space" (signage is available on the Workplaces Printable Posters page). Masks may be optional in many settings, but everyone is strongly encouraged to keep them on for a little while longer, especially in indoor spaces that are crowded. This is particularly important for people who are at higher risk of illness (or who live with someone who is), including:
- people who have not received all recommended doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
- people who are older.
- people with certain medical conditions.
- people who are pregnant or have recently given birth.
- Ensure infection prevention and control (IPAC) measures are in place. Detailed information for workplaces on hand washing, cough etiquette and environmental cleaning is available on the Prevention at Work page.
- Encourage workers to receive all recommended doses of COVID-19 vaccinations (including booster doses), even if previously infected. Getting an annual flu shot is also important.
- Review infection prevention and control/occupational health and safety policies and procedures specific to your workplace with all employees. Place reminders for workers throughout the workplace in appropriate places, such as hand washing posters at sinks. Printable Posters are available.
- Instruct workers to monitor for symptoms of illness and remind them of the importance of not being at work if they are ill. Advise them to follow the instructions at Ontario Public Health Measures and Advice if they (or their household members) experience symptoms of illness.
- Where the risk of illness cannot be sufficiently reduced by other methods and personal protective equipment (PPE) is required, provide adequate training on the care, use and limitations of PPE, including how to put on and take off, and when to perform hand hygiene.
- Update corporate policies and inform employees about any changes, particularly those regarding sick leave and leave to care for family members.
- Provide adequate training for people who may have to cover the job duties of others.
- Visit Superior Mental Wellness @ Work for resources on protecting workers’ psychological health.
- Follow all infection prevention and control measures.
- Receive all recommended doses of COVID-19 vaccinations (including a booster dose), even if previously infected with the virus. Getting your annual flu shot is also important.
- Continue to wear a face mask for a little while longer, especially in indoor spaces that are crowded. This is particularly important if you are at higher risk of illness (or who you live with someone who is), including:
- people who have not received all recommended doses of COVID-19 vaccine.
- people who are older.
- people with certain medical conditions.
- people who are pregnant or have recently given birth.
- Ask your employer to review with you about what is being done in the workplace to protect the health of staff, clients and customers and follow all safe work procedures.
- If you have concerns about health and safety in your workplace, you should follow the same process as what you would have done before, such as talking to your supervisor, a health and safety committee representative, and/or union or (as a final option) the Ministry of Labour.
- If going back to work is causing you anxiety, please reach out to the mental health resources that are available to you either in your community, over the phone or online. A list of services is available at on our Mental Health Support page.
It’s also important to do your part as an employee to protect others at work:
- Stay home (or go home) if you are feeling ill. Follow the instructions at Ontario Public Health Measures and Advice.
- Inform yourself of workplace policies and procedures regarding leave time so you know what options are available to you if you are not well or you are caring for family members.
Symptoms and Isolation
- Employees who develop symptoms at work or at home should follow the directions in Ontario's self-assessment tool. Information is also available at Ontario Public Health Measures and Advice.
- Workers and volunteers in HIGH-RISK HEALTH CARE SETTINGS should refer to the Management of Cases and Contacts of COVID-19 in Ontario.
- If workers experience mild symptoms after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, employers should follow the Guidance for Employers Managing Workers with Symptoms within 48 Hours of COVID-19 Immunization.
- Ensure employees are aware of return-to-work procedures.
- Anyone who tests positive from a PCR test, rapid molecular test or a rapid antigen test, should self-isolate and follow the instructions on Ontario's Public Health Measures and Advice page.
- Once they have met all the criteria to come out of self-isolation, and feel well enough and able, they can return to work. They should communicate with their employer and follow workplace procedures about return-to-work.
- Employers should not require proof of a negative test for an employee to return to the workplace. When a person is recovering from COVID-19 they can continue to test positive even after they are no longer contagious.
- TBDHU does not issue workers with either letters of exemption for testing or letters of recovery from COVID-19.
- Once a person has recovered from COVID-19, it’s not uncommon to have a mild lingering cough.
- It is important to respect employee privacy and not disclose personal health information to co-workers.
- Follow public health advice regarding infection prevention and control practices workplaces need to take to reduce the risk of transmission. Regular cleaning and disinfecting of frequently touched surfaces and washing of hands reduces the risk of infection.
- When a person is recovering from COVID-19 they can continue to test positive even after they are no longer contagious. Rapid antigen tests are not recommended for use on workers if they had previously tested positive in the last 30 days.
- After a COVID-19 infection, employees are “cleared” to end self-isolation and return to work once they have met the criteria outlined at Ontario Public Health Measures and Advice.
*Workers in highest risk settings should follow the testing requirements of their employer.
Employers are discouraged from asking workers to verify their COVID-19 status with a print-out confirming negative test results in order for them to return to work. If the employee was tested, their verbal confirmation that the results were negative should suffice. If an employee self-isolated for the designated amount of time depending on their situation, a COVID-19 test is not required for them to be considered 'cleared' to return to their regular daily activities.
Household members are not required to stay home as long as they do not have symptoms themselves. They may be required to wear a mask in public spaces depending on the symptoms that the isolating person is experiencing. Instructions for household members are provided in Ontario's self-assessment tool.
Vaccine Information
If workers experience mild symptoms after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, employers should follow the Guidance for Employers Managing Workers with Symptoms within 48 Hours of COVID-19 Immunization.
Other Information
For information related to accommodation, work refusal, working conditions, etc., visit:
- For questions regarding community supports, refer to 211 for local, up-to-date information. This could include information on taxes/EI claims, mental health supports, etc.
- Provincial government supports:
- Federal government supports: