1. It’s time to fully demonstrate your leadership. You are the captain and the coach at the same time! Boost your troops’ morale and trust yourself!

2. In a context like this, put aside your non-priority and non-essential activities and then make a list of the most important files.

3. Make sure you follow the laws and instructions of the authorities. Regardless of your opinions, as an employer, you have obligations regarding health and safety. Failure to comply with the laws or instructions could expose you to issues such as legal recourse.

4. Form a business continuity committee with management members as soon as possible to develop an operations plan for the next two weeks.

5. Then call a meeting with its members to put in place a business continuity plan (and try to use teleconferencing):

• Review your compensation policies (see links at bottom of page).

• Identify key positions within the company that are essential to maintaining operations.

• Assess short-term impacts (raw materials, customers, etc.)

• Immediately develop your telework program with the help of your technology (IT) specialists and determine which positions allow remote work.

• Provide for the conditions of employees in voluntary isolation. Different options are possible: days in sick leave bank, bank of negative days to be returned at a later date, etc. (See the links at the bottom of the page for government programs available).

• Involve the health and safety committee to ensure that preventive and health and safety measures are implemented in the workplace. Involve them so that they are kept informed of any changes from the authorities. Enforce social distancing!

• Make sure to update all of your employees' contact information (address, email and phone number).

6. In order to reduce tensions, regularly communicate to your employees the developments and decisions you make. Use the means of communication at your disposal so as not to create a gathering.

7. Be empathetic and try to stay calm. Your attitude will have a direct impact on the attitude of your employees.

8. Don't try to have the exact or perfect answers. Be yourself in your communications with employees. Be transparent!

9. Be understanding with your staff as each is dealing with their own personal challenges (sick parents, childcare logistics, worries, etc.)

10. Encourage your employees to take short breaks (at their desk) during the day to relax. Don't try to achieve the usual productivity rates, be understanding.

11. Invite employees to consult or call you (or other internal resources) if they have concerns.

12. Promote your EAP (Employee Assistance Program) if you have one.

13. Set up a virtual group and invite people to join if they don't already have one. Facebook allows you to set up a group in minutes, so you can keep them informed quickly if needed.

14. Reassure people and ask for their collaboration in order to rally them towards the same objective, namely the preservation of everyone's health!

15. Pass on the message that it is better to bounce back now in order to get through this situation more quickly and tell them that all measures and actions taken are for the good of all.

16. Be accessible even remotely and lighten the mood. For example, invite your employees to download a meditation or relaxing music app that they can listen to in their free time.

These tips were developed as of March 16, 2020. Follow the situation closely to learn about all the new measures that affect the world of work. For any legal questions, consult an employment lawyer. Stay positive and keep smiling, it's contagious!

Here are three useful links to help you see things more clearly.

Temporary Assistance Program for Self-Employed Workers The Government of Quebec has just announced a temporary assistance program for self-employed workers (PATT) aimed at promoting the isolation (quarantine) of people with symptoms, returning from a trip or having symptoms or having been in contact with symptomatic people and not entitled to employment insurance. An amount of $573 per week for a minimum of two weeks (maximum four weeks in certain situations) would be paid.

Employment Insurance Sickness Benefits

Employment Insurance (program modified for COVID-19)

Occupational Health and Safety, Labor Standards and Compensation

Covid-19 Questions and Answers – CNESST