Wage Support for Employees Impacted by COVID-19
When an employee must self-isolate due to a suspected or confirmed positive COVID-19, not only will they worry about their health, they’ll worry about their job and wages.
They may have access to paid sick days, but what happens when those run out?
Fortunately, the government has implemented a variety of wage-support programs for employees impacted by COVID-19, from self-isolating, to caring for dependents, to having work hours reduced or eliminated due to work shortages.
These programs provide offer resources to employees, so the responsibility does not fall solely on the business owners.Available financial support includes:
Employment Insurance (EI):
EI has changed to support more Canadians through the pandemic.
Canada Recovery Benefit (CRB):
Income support if employees are self-employed or are not eligible for EI
Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit (CRCB):
Income support if employees must stop work to care for dependants due to closures, high risk and caregiver availability.
Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit (CRSB):
Up to two weeks of support if an employee is sick or must self-isolate due to COVID-19.
Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS):
A wage subsidy for Canadian employers to re-hire workers previously laid off as a result of COVID-19.
Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS):
Rent and mortgage support for qualifying organizations affected by COVID-19.
Have your revenues dropped due to COVID-19?
Many small businesses are struggling to stay afloat and cover their fixed costs, such as rent and insurance, while taking a negative impact on their revenues. Government assistance has emerged to help businesses pay for their rent, but many have had their fate put into the hands of their landlords to apply for the assistance. The new Canadian Emergency Rent Subsidy (CERS) is being introduced to provide rent relief for businesses and allows these businesses to apply to the assistance directly as opposed to waiting for their landlords to do so.
What is the CERS and how does it work for small businesses?
- Rent and mortgage support available until June 2021 for qualifying organizations impacted by COVID-19
- Funds go directly to the business, not the landlord
- Can cover up to 65% percent of eligible expenses until December 19 2020
- Businesses are able to make claims retroactively for the period that began September 27 and ends October 24, 2020
- A top-up CERS of 25% for businesses temporarily shut down by a mandatory public health order issued by a qualifying public health authority—in addition to the 65% subsidy,—grants up to 90% of coverage for the hardest hit businesses!
START TAKING ACTION
Do you know what to do when an employee cannot come to work because they may have contracted COVID-19? It is critical for companies to implement a workplace safety plan and communicate support systems for employees who’s work has been impacted by COVID-19. Contact us now to receive a complimentary COVID-19 Workplace Safety Plan and COVID-19 Wage Support Services info-sheet to prepare your organization for Ministry of Labour inspections, keep your workplace safe, and provide employees with peace of mind.