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WorkWise Hamilton

Many businesses in our community and across the country have faced significant hardships over the course of the COVID-19 global pandemic. The resources here provide infection prevention and control measures and guidelines to support workplace efforts to help protect employees and customers and reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses in our community.

The Hamilton COVID Concierge Team and Hamilton Public Health Services partnered together to provide these resources and are committed to supporting local workplaces to WorkWise.

Campaign Goal

  • Our collective goal is to provide workplaces with resources on effective ways to prevent COVID-19 spread in the workplace

On this webpage you will find:

  • Work-related resources and information
  • Links to upcoming webinars
  • An interactive workplace safety quiz
  • Suggestions for how your workplace can share innovations that have enabled you to continue to WorkWise

Get involved in this campaign by:

  • Leveraging social media content and resources on this page and sharing through your own networks
  • Posting a video about how your workplace has innovated during the pandemic to create a safer space (details below)
  • Completing the Workplace Safety Quiz and learning what more your workplace can do to create a safer workspace

Workplaces are vital to our community

Keep your employees and your workplace safe. Public health measures continue to be effective in stopping COVID-19 spread.

Sector-Specific Guidance

WorkWise by knowing and following the rules and regulations that govern your sector’s ability to operate. Read more about the sector-specific guidance that applies to your workplace. Click here to learn more.

Learn more about Hamilton public health’s COVID-19 recommendations and best practices for your workplace here. Click here.

COVID-19 Prevention Measures in the Workplace

Following public health measures can help to protect your employees, your customers, and your community, and reduces the likelihood of needing to shut down due to outbreaks or reduced staffing. 

When workplaces understand how COVID-19 spreads, they can implement measures known to help protect employees and customers. 

You can learn more about how to keep your workplace safer and WorkWise on the Provincial COVID-19 public health measures and advice page.

Hamilton Public Health has detailed information on how to manage cases of COVID-19 in the workplace when they occur. To learn more, click here.

Webinars & Events

Past COVID-19 Webinars from the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce can be found here.

Workplace Safety Resources for Businesses

The information below contains resources, including posters and social media messaging you can share with your workplace.

Businesses that are open to the public are no longer required to post COVID-19 specific signage.

Additional resources, including posters and signage and translated resources, can be found on the City of Hamilton’s webpage on COVID-19 in the Workplace (under ‘Workplace Resources’)

All businesses and workplaces may choose to actively or passively screen their employees and essential visitors prior to entering the premises. 

Active screening means employers use information gathered to decide who can enter the workplace. Passive screening is when people decide their own risk and make the decision themselves

Temperature checks are neither required nor recommended as part of screening.

As of March 21st, businesses and organizations that are open will no longer be required to prepare and make available a safety plan.

While not required, a Safety Plan can help your organization adopt good practices to control the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. Even if you decide not to have a Safety Plan, the Ministry of Labour expects that workplaces will have measures and procedures in place if there is an active outbreak of COVID-19 in the workplace or there are people in the workplace who are suspect, probable or confirmed positive for COVID-19.

The provincial government has resources available to you and your business to assist with the development of a COVID-19 workplace safety plan. Click here to learn more.

Posters for Your Workplace

Click on the poster below to download it. You are encouraged to print and display it in your workplace.

How WorkWise are you? Complete the Workplace Safety Quiz

Below is a checklist of general public health measures that can help reduce the spread of COVID-19. If you are currently open, test your organization. How WorkWise are you?

Complete the WorkWise Safety Quiz

Recognizing & Celebrating Employees and Innovations in the Workplace

Many adjustments were required to successfully operate your businesses during the pandemic. Businesses as well as employees needed to frequently pivot in response to regulations and required health measures changes.

Recognize and celebrate employees’ continued effort in and contribution toward making the workplace a safer space. Let your employees know how much you appreciate their dedication, especially during these trying times.

  • Check in with your employees frequently. It’s the little interactions that create valuable points of connections for your employees and your workplace
  • Give balanced feedback. Let your employees know that they’re doing well and where they can improve. With the frequently changing COVID-19 landscape and the required work-related changes, this feedback becomes more important than ever!
  • Be flexible. More than anything, COVID has underscored the need to be flexible. Employees who aren’t feeling well shouldn’t be penalized for missing or leaving work if needed.
  • Express gratitude. Take the time to connect with each of your employees to thank them for their specific contributions to the workplace.
  • Encourage and celebrate vaccine uptake. Remind employees that each one of them makes a difference and that vaccination is the key to keeping workplaces and our community safer spaces. More information about COVID-19 vaccination and workplaces can be found here.
  • Acknowledge and support mental well-being. Give your employees the chance to reach out by letting them know that your organization cares about their wellbeing and that resources are available if needed, e.g. https://www.hamilton.ca/coronavirus/taking-care-your-mental-health
  • Reward Excellence. For example, select a COVID-19 Champion of the Month and celebrate their achievements.

What’s enabled your organization to WorkWise?

Share the innovations and safety measures that your organization has implemented during COVID-19 to make your workplace a safer space.

  • Post through your own social media channels testimonials or create short videos (30seconds -2 minutes) highlighting some of the measures or innovations your workplace has put in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Not only is this a great way to celebrate how your workplace is responding to COVID-19, but also, this will allow you to build confidence with both your employees and customers that your organization appreciates the gravity of COVID-19 and is implementing processes to protect the workplace, employees and customers.
  • Post information in your workplace that celebrate employee contributions and remind employees what they can do to help keep their workplace safer (for ways in which employees can help keep their workplace safer, please see the resources for workplaces above).

Safety Checklist Quiz

"*" indicates required fields

Step 1 of 7

Screen for COVID 19

Question 1*
Customers or employees who are not feeling well are denied entry to our establishment or, if already in the establishment, asked to leave, and advised that using the screening tool can help them determine what steps they should take.
Question 2*
Our organization supports workers who must isolate while sick. Workers are aware of resources for workplace accommodations, sick leaves, financial support and return to work policies.

Updated 02-09-22

Hamilton businesses, call 905-521-3989. Phone line open Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm.
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