Your business and COVID-19 in New Brunswick

Employee management

Employer obligations & OHS

The risk of COVID-19 transmission continues in New Brunswick. As an employer, you must take every reasonable precaution to keep your workplace healthy and safe.

WorkSafeNB: Communicable disease prevention
WorkSafeNB: What to do if Your Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19
WorkSafeNB: Guidance for employers: Level 3 COVID-19 winter action plan

Vaccine

Please see the official New Brunswick Vaccine page.

Can I force my employees to get vaccinated?

It may be possible to put a vaccination policy in place, or to make being vaccinated a condition of employment; however, it is important that accommodations are made for employees who cannot be vaccinated for medical or religious reasons. It is worth noting that terminating an employee for not getting the vaccine could lead to a claim of unfair dismissal.

Before implementing a mandatory vaccination policy, consider the following:

Does the workplace serve a vulnerable population?
What is the nature and duration of the employee’s contact with that population?
Assess risk for different positions – you may want to avoid an all-employee blanket policy.

Ensure the policy is clear and employees understand consequences for non-compliance.

It is strongly recommended you consult with legal counsel to evaluate the risk of a mandatory vaccination policy in your workplace.

CFIB has a template vaccination policy available to members in our Resource Library. Please note: due to the legal implications, our Advisors are not in a position to help customize this template. To customize it, you should speak with a lawyer.

Mental health

With Canada firmly in the grip of COVID-19, it is anything but business as usual.  Many businesses are closing their doors and laying off staff, others have employees refusing to come to work. We are all stressed and everyone is worried about their health and financial well-being.  Amidst this turbulence, you as a business leader are scrambling to keep your business afloat while leading your staff through these uncertain times.

Here are links to resources you can access if you’re feeling overwhelmed:

New Brunswick

Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19
Text TALK to 686868 or call 1-800-668-6868 to chat with a volunteer Crisis Responder 24/7
CHIMO Helpline or 1-800-667-5005
Addictions and mental health

Federal

Government of Canada
- Mental health and wellness
- Wellness Together Canada: Mental Health and Substance Use Support
- COVID-19 Information Line 1 833 784 4397
Mental Health Commission of Canada
- COVID-19 mental well-being
Canadian Mental Health Association
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety
- Mental Health
Morneau Shepell – CFIB’s partner
- COVID-19 Awareness and Training

Provincial support

$10,000 Grants Program

Up to $10,000 in non-repayable grant funding is being made available for eligible businesses to offset the impacts of COVID-19. Online application will begin on January 24th 2022 through the Opportunities NB website. Business Navigators are available to assist in the application process at nav@navnb.ca or phone at 1(833) 799-7966.

$2,000 New Brunswick Self-Employed Lockdown Fund

Self-Employed Lockdown Fund (SELF) provides a $2,000 grant to New Brunswick businesses without employees. Applications can be made online through the Opportunities NB website beginning February 1, 2022 and will be accepted for the period ending January 31, 2022.

Business Navigator

New Brunswick businesses who have questions about provincial government support and regulations can contact the Business Navigator service by phone at 1-833-799-7966 or by email nav@navnb.ca

What we’re asking for

As we regularly communicate with the New Brunswick government to get answers to your questions, we are actively lobbying them to:

Ensure provincial small business support programs are available to all sectors, when their operations are affected by increased public health restrictions;
Ensure shutdowns are consistent and targeted to the sectors of greatest concern, as backed by transparent healthcare policy evidence;
Ensure lockdowns do not create an uneven playing field between large and small businesses. As an example, if retailers are required to close, ensure that big box retailers that sell groceries are limited to providing essential services only and not permitted to sell non-essential goods in-store during the lockdown period;
Review and update lockdown measures regularly to avoid any business being closed longer than necessary;

Ensure provincial small business support programs are available to businesses of all sizes;
Extend availability of provincial small business support programs for as long as public health measures restrict the ability of businesses to operate;
Extend provincial small business support programs to businesses that began operating during the pandemic;
Ensure the application process for provincial small business support programs are simple;
Convert provincial small businesses support programs introduced during the pandemic from “deferrals/loans” to “holidays/grants”;
Actively promote consumer confidence, and spending within small businesses.

Learn more on how CFIB is fighting for better relief at the federal level.

Visit our COVID-19 Help Centre

Our primary concern at CFIB is making sure you have the support you need to get through this uncertain and challenging time. We provide you with expert advice and ensure that you have all of the latest information on government announcements and available support.

Visit our Help Centre