The COVID-19 pandemic has forced employers to re-examine procedures for calling in sick.
Lambton Medical Officer of Health Dr. Sudit Ranade told Sue Storr on CHOK (103.9 FM, 1070 AM) Thursday morning, that there needs to be a shift in our existing workplace culture that guilts employees into working while sick.
He said employers need to explore at home options for employees and have a plan in place to run operations when more than one employee is not well.
Dr. Ranade said small businesses will be hit the hardest.
"Because small business do not have the surge capacity and they may not have the ability, depending on what they do, to let people work from home," said Ranade. "So it's going to be a big challenge there and still a challenge, but perhaps less of a challenge in large organizations that have multiple departments and staff. But that's the biggest shift we need to make, is that acceptance and the trust of you're not feeling well I trust you, you're making this decision because you actually want to protect us all and we support that, thank you."
Lambton Medical Officer of Health Dr. Sudit Ranade.
Dr. Ranade said staying home from work or school when sick, will also help reduce the impact of seasonal influenza.
Lambton Public Health has posted general workplace guidelines during the pandemic.
Dr. Ranade said right now COVID-19 transmission in Sarnia-Lambton is low with just four active cases.
No new cases have been reported since Sunday night.
