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WHAT ARE YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS AT WORK DURING THIS CORONAVIRUS COVID-19 PANDEMIC?

26 May 2021 Expert Advice from Team Duvenage Inc.

WHAT ARE YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS AT WORK DURING THIS CORONAVIRUS COVID-19 PANDEMIC?


As the world is facing a health crisis with the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak, it is your right as an employee to be kept as safe as possible. It goes without saying that your employer must follow protocol to protect and support you throughout this difficult time.


  1. WHAT IF I DON’T UNDERSTAND WHAT THE COVID-19 VIRUS IS?

Your employer is expected to give all employees accurate information about the virus, ways to help prevent getting it and the symptoms.


  1. WHY SHOULD I BE CONCERNED ABOUT MY WORKPLACE?
  • Covid-19 is passed through little droplets from an infected person if he/she sneezes or coughs.
  • It is passed by either touching the surface which an infected person coughed or sneezed on.
  • Your employer has the responsibility to ensure that there is social distancing in the workplace and ensure that the workplace is sanitised regularly.


  1. WHAT TO DO IF YOU THINK THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE COVID?
  • Every workplace should have a manual guide that stipulates on how to deal with employees who get the virus.
  • This plan should be communicated to all staff.
  • Your employer cannot force you to work if you have the virus or think you might be at risk of getting the virus after contact with an infected person.
  1. IS MY WORK SPACE SAFE?
  • Your employer must provide hand sanitisers.
  • You should be provided with protective clothing, depending on what kind of work that you do.
  • You should re-arrange your workspace to keep a two metre distance from other workers.
  • If you have a safety committee at work, you can ask for an emergency meeting to be held with regards to the COVID-19 situation.
  1. IS WORKING FROM HOME AN OPTION?
  • If it is possible, please work from home.
  • If you are working from home, your employer must give you a clear set of expectation of this process, including the working hours.

Remember this, Duvenage Attorneys is your companion during the Corona (COVID-19) pandemic. For more information, kindly contact our team of legal experts for any advice about the labour laws and your right during this difficult time.

We are in this together and want to help you keep safe and make sure you are treated fairly at work.