Leading During COVID

A Personal Message From Steve

Struggling with how best to lead your team during the COVID19 pandemic?

You may be aware that I led the Red Cross response to SARS. We deployed hundreds of volunteers and paid staff into what could have been an extraordinarily fearful situation.

Our team responded to the situation with class & style because, as leaders:

- - We provided expert evidence-based advice and full disclosure of the risks to all our people.
  - We hosted daily telephone operational briefings where all personnel were encouraged to listen into
  - As the operations director, I invested my time by being visible and visiting frontline workers as much as possible.

If you lead your team through these tumultuous times and have any questions or need a friendly ear to bounce ideas off, just hit reply.

Or, if you want me to join your team – at no charge – through video or telephone, we can set up a call anytime.

Steve

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Webinars & Media Interviews

How will your organization survive COVID19? – 23 April

Leadership in Times of Crisis Steve’s Webinar for CPHR-AB – 21 April

Leading Beyond COVID Webinar – 9 April

COVID-19 Guidance and Resources

Please note that the following external links are ‘evergreen’ and continually updated.

But understand that I can not guarantee that they contain the most current information.

MONITOR

Please stay up to date on the rapidly evolving situation and the nature of the virus by frequently checking provincial, national and international websites.

Resources:

- Website: Government of Alberta: COVID-19 information for Albertans
- Website: Government of Canada: COVID-19 Outbreak update
- Website: Centre for Disease Control and Prevention: COVID-19 Resources
- Website: World Health Organization: COVID-19 Updates

PREVENT

Use best practices to prevent and mitigate the spread of COVID-19, at home and work.

- Actively encourage anyone who is feeling ill to stay home and away from others.
- Use and encourage good hygiene practices, such as frequent handwashing and avoiding touch.
- Consider additional social distancing measures, such as working remotely.

Resources:

- Guidelines:CDC: Keeping your workplace, school, and home safe

PREPARE

Ensure your business is prepared to handle a potential case of business disruption, including accessing available government resources to mitigate potential financial impacts to your employees and your business.

- Review or create a Business Continuity Plan for your organization, ensuring it contains:
  - Processes to follow if an employee becomes ill;
  - Policies around travel;
  - Policies around sick leave;
  - How to mitigate risk so essential business functions can continue; and
  - Internal and external communications plans.

Resources:

- Planning Tools: Business Continuity Handbook, Template, and Reference Guide
- Guidelines: Government of Canada: COVID-19 Travel Advice
- Website: Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employees

RESPOND

Follow all public health guidelines if you, or a member of your team, are experiencing symptoms to ensure your workforce and your workspace’s safety.

- In Alberta, call Health Link at 8-1-1 for instructions if you, or a member of your team, are experiencing symptoms such as fever, cough, difficulty breathing and have travelled outside of Canada or were exposed to someone who has COVID-19.

Resources:

- Website: Alberta Health Link

RESOURCES

Resources from the Government of Canada

Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan | Support for Canadians and Businesses

COVID-19: First Nations Community Guide on Accessing Additional Supports | Covid-19 specific funding, supports, and resources

Additional Support for Canadian Businesses from the Economic Impact of COVID-19 | Measures part of the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan

Trade Commissioner – Resources for Canadian Businesses | Contains relevant and important information for businesses navigating challenges and uncertainty in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19: Changes to Canadian taxes and benefits | Updates on changes to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) services, due dates and programs affected by the pandemic.

Employment Insurance (EI) and Sickness Benefits | The one-week waiting period for EI sickness benefits will be waived for new claimants who are quarantined so they can be paid for the first week of their claim.

Changes to Taxes and Benefits | Deferral of GST/HST Tax Remittances (COVID-19 Measures)

Support to Businesses | Extending the Work-Sharing program, providing small businesses with wage subsidies, Business Credit Availability Program (BCAP)

CRA My Business Account | Setting up your My Business Account

Resources from the Government of Alberta

COVID-19 info for Albertans | Actions to protect Albertans and prevent the spread of novel coronavirus

Emergency Isolation Support | Financial support for working Albertans who are experiencing a loss of income resulting from self-isolation due to COVID-19

Alberta Employment Standards Rules | Laws for minimum wage, overtime, holidays, job-protected leaves, vacations, hours of work, earnings, youth workers and termination.