Canadian HR Reporter

E D I T O R I A L 6 www.hrreporter.com EDITORIAL Editor/Supervisor Sarah Dobson Employment Law Editor Jeffrey R. Smith Labour Relations News Editor John Dujay Production Editor Patricia Cancilla Contributors Marie-Hélène Budworth Laura Williams CORPORATE Chief Executive Officer Mike Shipley Chief Operating Officer George Walmsley President Tim Duce Chief Information Officer Colin Chan Human Resources Manager Julia Bookallil ADVERTISING Business Development Manager Fred Crossley (416) 644-8740 ext. 236 fred.crossley@keymedia.com Vice President Sales John Mackenzie PRODUCTION Designer Ace Dequina Production Co-ordinator Ella Dayandante Client Success Co-ordinator Kshipra Dhindaw MARKETING AND CIRCULATION NAUK Subscriptions Co-ordinator Donnabel Reyes Marketing Co-ordinator Charlyn Macaraeg Global Head of Media Marketing Lisa Narroway ISSUE 34.04.2021 www.hrreporter.com No easy answers for safe return to work WHAT'S it going to take to get people back to work safely? Yes, there are a lot of front-line workers who never left and are now surrounded by plexiglass screens, distancing signage and sanitizer bottles as part of their daily routine. But what about the millions who abruptly left their offices and are only now starting to trickle back? It's a huge dilemma for HR. While many workers are keen to stay home indefinitely, many others are eager to get back to the office environment, to commune with colleagues, to get back in the boardroom — and, of course, grab an overpriced lunch at the local food court. Many people who pursued a career in HR probably didn't think that they'd need to know so much about science and global viruses — let alone technology such as thermal imaging — but those are definitely areas of concern and consideration when it comes to safely bringing employees back to work. In talking to experts and employers for this issue's cover story, I found there's still a lot of uncertainty. Some are piloting programs, such as rapid antigen testing. Many are doing basic temperature screening but not embracing the full-body thermal option. Almost all are asking employees to carry out self- screening before they show up at work. And when it comes to vaccines, that's a whole other kettle of fish: Should people be required to have the vaccine before they come to work? Can an employer even mandate that staff be inoculated? How do they handle workers who don't have the vaccine comingling with those who do? Then there are the employment law issues, with the potential of employees refusing to take the vaccine for medical, religious or political reasons. What if an employee is an anti-vaxxer and ardently opposed to such a requirement? Will the employer face liability if a staff member contracts COVID at work? Hopefully, this dilemma won't last too long and the virus will fade away so we can get back to some sense of normalcy. But, for the immediate future, there are many challenging questions for HR — with no easy answers. Sarah Dobson, editor, Canadian HR Reporter group What if an employee is an anti-vaxxer and ardently opposed to an employer's requirement to have a COVID-19 vaccine? Contents of Canadian HR Reporter are copyright © 2021 Key Media Canada (HR) Ltd and may not be reproduced in whole or part without written consent. Key Media Canada (HR) Ltd disclaims any warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or currency of the contents of this publication and disclaims all liability in respect of the results of any action taken or not taken in reliance upon information in this publication. HST/GST # 79990 3547 RC-0001 Canada Post – Canadian Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement 41261516 International Standard Serial Number 0838-228X. The publishers accept no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, colour transparencies or other materials. Manuscripts or other materials must be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. KEY MEDIA and the KEY MEDIA logo are trademarks of Key Media IP Limited, and used under licence by Key Media Canada (HR) Ltd. Canadian HR Reporter is a trademark of Key Media Canada (HR) Ltd. www.hrreporter.com Subscription price: Canada: $175 plus tax; US and International: $175 USD Canadian HR Reporter makes every effort to ensure accuracy in all items reported, but cannot accept responsibility for the representations or claims made by sources used. It is also not responsible for claims made by its advertisers. HR News at Your Fingertips THE LATEST NEWS Stay on top of essential late-breaking HR news and developments. THE BEST COMMENTARY Access trusted analysis and opinion on the cases and changes that are shaping the HR landscape. REGULAR E-NEWSLETTER Your profession can change quickly, which is why you need the freshest, most recent information. FOR READING ON ANY DEVICE Get the news and opinions you need on any device. Whether you read at work, or on the go, the newsletter adapts to your screen. SCAN TO LEARN MORE CHRR newswire sign up.indd 1 CHRR newswire sign up.indd 1 07/11/2020 2:02:27 pm 07/11/2020 2:02:27 pm

• Cover