Managing COVID-19 in the federal public service
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Current situation
While the COVID-19 pandemic presents ongoing challenges for Canadians and for the public service, we are managing COVID-19 as part of our ongoing operations and continuing to deliver key programs and services to Canadians.
The federal public service continues to be guided by the advice of the Public Health Agency of Canada for public health advice and Health Canada’s Public Service Occupational Health Program for occupational health advice.
How we are supporting employees
We continue to support employees with:
- improved remote work capacity to enable employees to respect physical distancing and other public health recommendations
- improved network access and by providing equipment
- tools managers need to help them manage under these circumstances
- improved access to mental health services and supports, such as the Employee Assistance Program
- flexible work arrangements and guidance on employee leave
- easier access to health care benefits in the Public Service Health Care Plan
Access to federal worksites
The physical and psychological health and safety of employees is paramount. Decisions regarding access to federal worksites will be made based on government-wide guidance and taking into consideration the local public health situation and the nature of the work. Access for employees varies from organization to organization, based on their operational requirements.
You can expect that
- you will receive regular updates as information becomes available
- you will be kept up to date leading up to any changes to your current situation
- in most cases, the workforce will continue to include both employees working on-site and working remotely
- training and job aids from your organization and the Canada School of Public Service will continue to be available to support you and your teams
Your organization will continue to
- support those who are working remotely with the equipment and access needed to do their work
- provide information about access to worksites
- update their departmental Hazard Prevention Program by continuing to work with their appropriate Occupational Health and Safety committees/representatives to adopt a tailored approach by workplace location, based on the local context for COVID-19, taking into account provincial, territorial, or local guidance
- oversee operations in consideration of the need to
- be inclusive
- support productivity
- deliver critical services
- maximize working remotely
- ensure mental and physical safety
- respect employees’ accommodation and accessibility requirements
What we need from you
- follow public health measures and local public health direction when commuting to and from the worksite and outside the worksite
- stay home when showing symptoms identified by health authorities
- take care of your mental health, such as taking a self-assessment through the Wellness Together Canada portal to find available supports
- if your mental or emotional health is suffering, contact the Employee Assistance Program or a health care professional (e.g. a family doctor)
- while working remotely, take all health, safety, and security precautions in accordance with applicable laws, policies and regulations, and maintain regular contact with your manager and colleagues
Learn more about employee roles and responsibilities.
Departments should continue to follow workplace preventive practices.
What’s next
Your organization will continue to:
- ensure your departmental Hazard Prevention Program is kept up to date and identify physical and psychological hazards
- select preventive measures in consultation your OHS team and the appropriate OHS Committee/Representative, considering Health Canada’s PSOHP or the organization’s own medical advisors and local public health recommendations
- implement preventive measures
- monitor the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases among employees, as reported by managers through the Employee Status Reporting tool
- employees, as reported by managers through the Employee Status Reporting tool
- support employee mental health and well-being
- equip you with technological and leadership tools to help you navigate the next normal
- engage with your union representatives on questions that are of importance to you
Related links
- Public health guidance
- Canada Labour Code, Part II
- Mental health in the workplace (GC employees)
- Leave requests and ‘Other Leave with Pay (699)’
- Occupational health advisory
- Terms and conditions of employment and collective agreements
- Duty to accommodate framework for the federal public service
- Guidebook for departments on easing of restrictions
- Date modified: