Dear colleagues,
As we know, we continue to operate in a rapidly changing environment. I am writing to share new information and remind you of how you can help us operate and support each other in these challenging circumstances.
What has changed
Working from home:
- New direction on working from home was received from Treasury Board Secretariat on Sunday, March 15. Our direction is based on this.
- Managers are expected to consider telework for all their employees, at all work sites across Canada. Managers should work with them to identify an approach that is as flexible as possible while ensuring continued critical government operations and services to Canadians.
- Consistent with deputy head accountabilities, departments and agencies are asked to identify and determine how best to manage through exceptional situations (critical services requiring on-site presence; security limitations; or other operational imperatives for which no reasonable alternative to working on-site can be considered) that do not lend themselves to telework.
- We are working as quickly as possible to give you the precise guidance you need as things continue to evolve rapidly. It is essential that we all abide by instructions from local health authorities.
- Managers will discuss options with employees who are not able to work from home.
International travel and self-isolation:
- The Public Health Agency of Canada asked Canadians not to travel internationally, including to the United States.
- PHAC is strongly recommending that all travellers arriving in Canada take the additional precaution to self-isolate for 14 days.
- Please contact your manager to discuss your situation.
Reminder:
- Network use: avoid stressing the network by getting the documents you need, and disconnecting. When possible, download your documents outside of business hours.
- Take care of your physical health: protect yourself and your family by monitoring for symptoms and relying on authoritative, up-to-date information from the Public Health Agency of Canada.
- Take care of your mental health: if you or a family member is finding it difficult to cope with stress, please consider reaching out to the Employee Assistance Program (1-800-268-7708.) It’s there to support you, it’s anonymous, and it’s available 24/7.
I want to reassure all of you that your health and safety are our greatest concern.
I will to update you when information becomes available. The Chief Human Resources Officer has updated Questions and Answers online. There is also useful information about COVID in the workplace at from the Public Service Occupational Health Program.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Original update on behalf of Nancy Chahwan, Chief Human Resources Officer, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat:
The worldwide situation related to Covid-19 is evolving quickly. I am sharing the latest guidance developed collaboratively with Health Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada and others to mitigate the workplace consequences of COVID-19 in federal workplaces.
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization confirmed COVID-19 as a controllable pandemic amid well-studied efforts to slow the spread of the infection.
We must all be following the Public Health Agency of Canada and Health Canada workplace-specific guidance on the GCintranet as well as the direction of local public health authorities when specific cases arise. The authoritative source of information for Canadians on COVID-19 is Canada.ca/coronavirus, which includes public health guidance on travel. Managers and employees must be consulting this site on a daily basis. Information is also available on the Government of Canada COVID-19 Information Line at 1‑833-784-4397.
In addition to these sources of information, I am sharing other documents that will also be posted on GCintranet:
- Health Canada’s updated Occupational Health Guidance for federal public servants, which includes various scenarios
- Answers to frequently asked questions
This week, TBS, Health Canada and the Public Health Agency, also received numerous questions about self-isolation. In some cases, employees may be asked by local public health authorities to self-isolate or self-monitor. We need to take this consistent approach when dealing with suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the workplace.
Self-isolate when you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or when local public health authorities have identified you as a close contact of someone diagnosed with COVID‑19.
Self-isolation means limiting contact with others.
- Do not leave home unless absolutely necessary, such as to seek medical care.
- Do not go to school, work or other public areas and do not use public transportation (e.g., buses, taxis).
- Arrange to have groceries and supplies dropped off at your door to minimize contact.
- If possible, stay in a separate room and use a separate bathroom from others in your home.
- If you have to be in contact with others, keep at least 2 metres between yourself and the other person. Keep interactions brief and wear a mask.
- Avoid contact with older adults and with individuals with chronic conditions or compromised immune systems.
- Avoid contact with pets if you live with other people who may also touch the pet.
If you have not been diagnosed with COVID-19 or identified as a close contact of someone with COVID‑19, you should self-monitor for symptoms of respiratory illness. Self-monitoring means monitoring yourself for fever, cough and difficulty breathing and avoiding places where you cannot easily separate yourself from others if you become ill.
If you develop symptoms of respiratory illness, stay home, contact your local public health authority, and follow their instructions.
In order to avoid overburdening the health care system, unless a manager has a bona fide reason to question an employee’s declaration that they must self-isolate, no medical certificate should be requested.
I will keep you updated as this situation evolves.