in the early days of the covid-19 pandemic, many companies and public-sector organizations made swift and decisive transitions to remote working. upwards of 40 per cent of the canadian workforce took this step on the recommendation of provincial health authorities, according to statistics canada.
this herculean effort was followed in close succession by schools and universities with a shift to remote learning. child-care facilities were closed altogether, thrusting many employees, students and kids into work-life imbalances that can only be acknowledged as unsustainable in the medium to long term.
while uncertainty around next steps remains, the last several months have also produced — for large enterprises and small businesses alike — a growing catalogue of informed processes and tools to get canadian workers back to the workplace.
considerations include how, when (if at all), and at what speed employees should return to the office. the tightrope walk of protecting privacy while ensuring health and safety is a debate now taking place, as senior leaders consider implementing contact tracing and screening measures, restricting staff and customer numbers, as well as formulating “re-exit” plans: what to do in the event of a workplace outbreak or second pandemic wave.