COVID-19 Information and Guidance for the Workplace
While national and local government health agencies in the U.S. and Canada are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic by continuing social distancing and expanding testing, some local governments are beginning phased, limited, and regulated reopenings of workplaces, public spaces and businesses, and government services.
Health experts have shown that there is a higher risk of COVID-19 transmission and infection in indoor settings, including office spaces, schools, and industrial worksites. Effective measures for controlling COVID-19 transmission and infection in these settings include providing necessary personal protective equipment to individuals as well as administrative controls (“change the way people work” and interact in a hazardous environment) and engineering controls (“isolate people from the hazard”): see the National Institute of Occupational Health and Safety’s (NIOSH) Hierarchy of Controls for occupational hazards.
Health authorities continue to urge the public to cooperate, take recommended and required precautions, and help mitigate the impact in their communities and minimize the harm to the most vulnerable. While older adults and people with underlying medical conditions [CDC] are at higher risk of infection and death, the U.S. CDC has warned that "COVID-19 can result in severe disease among persons of all age” [Johns Hopkins Medicine].
Personal hygienic practices for minimizing the risk of COVID-19 transmission and infection are vitally important: see the U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration’s COVID-19 page for general guidance that includes a list of practices to minimize exposure risks.
As the U.S. and Canada continue to be under federal pandemic emergency conditions, "social distancing" to limit the transmission of the virus remains a key strategy. Aggressive social distancing includes wide-scale implementation of telework and limited or no office and business occupancy, conducting public events and meetings remotely, suspending school and college classes, and limiting contact in public settings. See this factsheet on social distancing [PDF]from the Santa Clara County Public Health Department.
The U.S. CDC and the Public Health Agency of Canada are asking individuals to facemarks in pbulic settings where physical distancing is not possible and in instances where there is a higher risk COVID-19 transmission. State/provincial and local governments, as well as public transit agencies and places of public accommodations may also require individuals to wear facemasks for the sake of public safety.
NOTE:We encourage IFPTE members and locals to review the AFL-CIO's document that explains appropriate use and limitations of respirators, masks, and face shields [PDF]
AFL-CIO and Canadian Labour Congress Resources on COVID-19
AFL-CIO: COVID-19 Pandemic Resources and Resources for Workers Impacted by COVID-19
Canadian Labour Congress: COVID-19 Resource Centre
IFPTE Local Union Resources and Statements on COVID-19
National Association of Immigration Judges/Judicial Council 2: Immigration Judges, Prosecutors and Attorneys Call for the Nationwide Closure of All Immigration Courts - Joint statement from NAIJ, AFGE Local 511, and American Immigration Lawyers Association calling for the emergency closure of the Immigration Courts throughout the U.S.
Coalition of Kaiser Permanente Unions (ESC/IFPTE Local 20): COVID-19 Updates and Resources - Resources from the employer and from coalition unions, as well as links to public health resources
IFPTE Local 21: Organizing Against COVID-19 - Local 21's statement and demands from public sector employers in response to the ongoing health emergency
Nonprofit Professional Employees Association/IFPTE Local 70: NPEU President to Nonprofit Managers: Move All of Your Staff to Remote Work - NPEU's statement calls on managers in the nonprofit sector to put their responsibility to public health and to their employees first by implementing telework and enabling nonprofit workers to practice social distancing.
The Society of United Professionals/IFPTE Local 160: A Message from President Scott Travers - The Society’s communication to members directs members to contact local union representatives, lists public health agency resources, a call for solidarity and aid for vulnerable people in the community.
TEAM/IFPTE Local 161: A COVID-19 Message from TEAM - As staff at TEAM shift to teleworking remotely, the Local’s staff update members on their operating status and on Bell holding off its downsizing under the current circumstances.
Workers Rights to a Safe Workplace
Under Canadian and U.S. law all employers have a "general duty" to provide a safe workplace for their employees. This includes existing standards for workers rights and employer responsibility that protect workers from retaliation for raising concerns about workplace health and safety.
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS): OH&S Legislation in Canada - Three Rights of Workers
Canadian Law of Work Forum: The Right to Refuse in a COVID-19 World - Comment on Ontario workers right to refuse to work in unsafe conditions under the province’s Occupational Health and Safety Act.
U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA): U.S. Department of Labor Reminds Employers That They Cannot Retaliate Against Workers Reporting Unsafe Conditions During Coronavirus Pandemic - OSHA's April 9 news release reiterates existing protections including OSHA's Whistleblower Protection Programs and existing statutes.
U.S. OSHA: Existing OSHA Standards and Current Guidance on COVID-19 - This page includes an updated OSHA enforcement memorandum issued in late May 2020 regarding enforcement of COVID-19 record-keeping for non-healthcare and non-emergency services occupational settingsthat outlines OSHA will exercise enforcement discretion administrators and state OSHA plan designees to use discretion in enforcement when OSHA determines an employer has made good faith efforts at complying with OSHA standards. While the May 2020 memos improve pervious guidance memos issued in April 2020, OSHA's lack of enforcement and relaxation of enforcement standards and continues underscore the need for to an OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard on infectious diseases.
Unemployment, Health Care, Sick Leave, Family Leave, and Student Debt
AFL-CIO - Resources for Workers Impacted by COVID-19 - Includes latest information for Unemployment Insurance, housing and food assistance, leave, and health insurance and public health services.
U.S. Dept. of Labor, Wage and Hour Division - COVID-19 and the American Workplace - Resources on paid sick leave and family medical leave after enactment of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the second COVID-19 stimulus package), including benefits for federal employees and frequently asked questions.
Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO - Government Relief for Federal Student Loans During the COVID-19 Pandemic - This factsheet and flowchart highlights the relief from federal student loan payments as well as options for private loans.
Canada - Employment and Social Development (ESDC) - Information for Individuals and for your Workplace from ESDC - Includes information Employment Insurance, Child Benefit, Canada Student and Apprentice Loans, Work-Share, and Temporary Foreign Workers.
Ontario Ministry of Labour Training and Skills Development - Infectious Disease Emergency Leave - Amendments to the Employment Standards Act related to COVID-19 - Establishes employees right to job-protected unpaid sick leave and family medical leave for COVID-19 related reasons and interaction with other paid leaves.
For U.S. Federal Employees - Guidance on COVID-19
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and Office of Personnel Management (OPM): Aligning Federal Agency Operations with the National Guidelines for Opening Up America Again [PDF] - OPM and OMB Acting Directors transmitted this memo on .guidance for all federal agencies and departments to reopen and return employees to worksite on April 20, 2020. IFPTE contends that this document issues confusing and "irresponsible"guidance to federal employers and continues to work to ensure maximum telework for federal employees and that all appropriate PPE, sanitary practices, and occupational safety controls are in place before federal employees return to work.
DoL Wage and Hour Division: Federal Employee Rights: Paid Sick Leave and Expanded Family and Medical Leave under The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) [PDF]
OMB: Memorandum for the Heads of Departments and Agencies [PDF] - OMB, consistent with the President's declaration of national emergency, tells agency leadership that "Government must immediately adjust operations and services to minimize face-to-face interactions, especially at those offices or sites where people may be gathering in close proximity or where highly vulnerable populations obtain services.” Issued March 19, 2020.
OMB: Updated Guidance on Telework Flexibilities in Response to Coronavirus - Issued March 12, 2020.
Office of Personnel Management: Fact Sheet - Additional Guidance in Connection with the COVID-19 Emergency - Guidance for Chief Human Capital Officers - This page is an overview of recent OPM and OMB guidance, executive branch collective bargaining obligations, weather and safety leave, and evacuation pay.
Chief Human Capital Officers Council: List of OPM Memorandums to Chief Human Capital Officers, HR Directors and Heads of Agencies
NOTE: IFPTE has sent our recommendation for OPM and OMB to establish a directive to agencies placing federal employees providing essential and nonessential services on telework, with flexibilities and proper personal protective equipment for federal employees that cannot work remotely, with weather and safety leave for nonessential employees who cannot telework as well as for federal employees who are at high risk for COVID-19, and federal employees caring for sick family and children. See IFPTE Calls on Administration to Mandate Agency Compliance to Protect Federal Workers and the Public, sent on March 16, 2020.
For Essential and Critical Service Employees, and Defense Industrial Base Employees - Guidance on CONVID-19
Prime Minister of Canada: Prime Minister Announces Canada’s Plan to Mobilize Industry to Fight COVID-19 - "The Plan introduces new measures to directly support these businesses to rapidly scale up production or re-tool their manufacturing lines to develop products made in Canada that will help in the fight against COVID-19.”
Canadian Provinces’ List of Essential Workplaces and Workers:
U.S. OSHA: COVID-19 Guidance for the Manufacturing Industry Workforce [PDF]
U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA): Identifying Critical Infrastructure During COVID-19 - This guidance is for state and local governments and identifies 16 critical infrastructure industries, listed here.
U.S. List of State Essential Workplaces and Workers: National Governors Association - Reference Chart on State Essential Business Designations - further state specific information linked from NGA’s webpage.
General Workplace Settings - Health and Safety Information
U.S. NIH: NIH Study Validates Decontamination Methods For Re-Use of N95 Respirators - Issued April 15, 2020. Note: decontamination of single-use disposable respirators is a crisis-capacity measure and limited to reuse of up to three times after vaporized hydrogen peroxide treatment decontamination prodecures. This is not a standard practice and not a substitute for adequate supply of respirators.
U.S. OSHA: Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19 [PDF] - Issued on March 9, 2020.
U.S. OSHA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): The CDC's Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers and OSHA's COVID-19 -- Control and Prevention provides general guidance for all U.S. workers and employers and interim guidance for U.S. workers and employers with occupational exposures to COVID-19
Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOSH): Flu and Infectious Disease Outbreaks - Workplace Tips for Both Employers and Workers - In English and French
World Health Organization: Getting Your Workplace Ready for COVID-19 [PDF]
Healthcare and Frontline Settings - Health and Safety Information
American Industrial Hygiene Association: Respirators and Face Protection 101 [PDF] - Authored by New York Public Employees Federation Health and Safety Director Jonathan Rosen and other industrial hygienists for unions, this document offers a basic understanding about the need for respiratory protection for workers in healthcare settings as well as the inadequate protection offered by of surgical masks and homemade masks.
U.S. NIH: NIH Study Validates Decontamination Methods For Re-Use of N95 Respirators - Issued April 15, 2020. Note: decontamination of single-use disposable respirators is a crisis-capacity measure and limited to reuse of up to three times after vaporized hydrogen peroxide treatment decontamination procedures. This is not a standard practice and not a substitute for adequate supply of respirators.
U.S. CDC: Information for Healthcare Professionals
U.S. CDC: Information for Laboratory Professionals
U.S. OSHA: Interim Guidance for Laboratory Workers and Employers
Factsheets, Posters, and General Information
AFL-CIO: Covid-19 Outbreak Resources
U.S. OSHA: Recent OSHA Posters and Publications
White House: Coronavirus Guidelines for America - National guidelines include broadly defining "critical infrastructure industry” and urging avoiding social gatherings of more than 10 people.
U.S. CDC: Posters, Videos, and Communications Tools on COVID-19 - most posters and factsheets available in multiple languages
Public Health Agency of Canada: Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19): Canada’s Response - in English, French, and Simplified Chinese
U.S. OSHA: Protecting Workers During a Pandemic [PDF]
U.S. CDC: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) -- Frequently Asked Questions and Answers - in English, Spanish, and Traditional Chinese
U.S. National Library of Medicine/NIH: Coronavirus Infections
State and Provincial Public Health Resources and Response to COVID-19
In the U.S. and Canada, state and provincial governments have been at the forefront of the response to COVID-19 outbreaks and containment in local settings. For a comprehensive list of U.S. state government responses to COVID-19 can be found on the National Governors Association website.
British Columbia Centre for Disease Control: Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Information available in multiple languages
Manitoba Health Seniors and Active Living: Coronavirus - Although Manitoba reports no confirmed cases, this page provides valuable information on containing the outbreak.
Ontario Ministry of Health: The 2019 Novel Coronavirus - Information available in multiple languages
Saskatchewan Government: 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information and Information for Health Care Providers
California Department of Public Health: COVID-19 Updates - Includes a link to occupational and activity- and setting-specific guidance for health care, community care, laboratories, and public events.
Connecticut: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
D.C. Department of Health: District Government’s Response to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Hawaii Department of Health: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Kansas Department of Health and Environment: Coronavirus Disease 2019 Outbreak
New Jersey Department of Public Health: COVID-19 Information for Communities and the General Public, COVID-19 Information for Schools and Businesses, and COVID-19 Information for Healthcare and Public Health Professionals
New York Department of Health: Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Washington State Department of Health: Workplace and Employer Resources & Recommendations on Novel Coronavirus Outbreak 2020
Wisconsin Department of Health Services: COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019)
For a list of U.S. states that have activated an emergency response, see the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials website.
Combating Xenophobic and Racist Responses to COVID-19
IFPTE joins with unions, public health agencies, and working people throughout Canada, the U.S., and the rest of the world in urging the public to reject any stigmatization, scapegoating, racism, or xenophobia towards any Asian populations and communities in the midst of the pandemic.
IFPTE Executive Council Diversity Committee: IFPTE Statement on Anti-Asian Racism - This statement of solidarity, issued on April 22, 2020 and undesigned by IFPTE Executive Officers and the IFPTE Diversity Committee, calls on IFPTE locals, leaders, members, and activists to stand with Asians and all people targeted, harassed, or discriminated against during the pandemic and economic crisis.
Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA): Protecting Asian American and Pacific Islander Working People In Response to COVID-19 - Resources from APALA AFL-CIO, including organizing materials, flyers, and guidance on protecting workers from discrimination and building solidarity during the pandemic.
Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA): The Impact of COVID-19 on Latinos in the U.S. - This report, prepared by LCLAA and Mijente, details quality of life issues as well as social, economic, and political factors in the Latino community that are now amplified or exacerbated during the pandemic and economic crisis.
Pride at Work: Labor Constituency Groups Highlight Disproportionate Impact of COVID-19 on Workers of Color - This statement from the the Labor Coalition for Community Action, which encompasses U.S. and Canadian labor constituency groups, touches on the numerous ways in which minorities and people from marginalized communities are facing economic and health challenges due to economic disadvantages and inequities that existed prior to the pandemic.
COVID-19 and the Need to Confront Racism -- A Call for Education and Solidarity - By Anna Liu and Chris Ramsaroop
Labor Coalition for Community Action (LCCA) and Labor Constituency Groups: For further information, IFPTE encourages members to visit the LCCA organizations and labor community constituency groups.