Employees will be able to return to work faster, as a labor shortage rages on.
The reduction in the isolation period, announced on Tuesday, shows that the government listened to employers, according to the Quebec Employers Council (CPQ).
“In the context of a labor shortage, that workers can return to work sooner is good news for the economy,” said Karl Blackburn, President and CEO of the CPQ.
Nearly 240,000 positions were vacant in Quebec at the end of 2021, according to Statistics Canada.
The Benny and Co. roast chicken restaurant chain, which now only produces take-out, delivery or grocery items, is particularly looking for hundreds of workers. However, since mid-December, around 15% of the company’s 2,200 employees have had to go into isolation due to COVID-19. Some of the brand’s 71 establishments had to close for a day or two.
“It’s a daily challenge not to close branches and to offer service to our customers who need it. It looks like we are always one or two employees away from being in a critical situation, says Nicolas Filiatrault, vice-president of finance and administration at Benny Co. We welcome the five-day quarantine, it will help us get back on track. on it a little faster. “
Mr. Filiatrault recognizes that a shortened period of isolation is not ideal from a public health point of view, but is necessary. “Will there be some outbreaks?” I suppose so. But it’s worth it so that we can do our grocery shopping and go get our chicken. “
Focus on rapid testing
To ensure that their employees can be adequately screened, the company has purchased, at great expense, rapid tests such as those distributed in pharmacies. They are given to workers who have symptoms or who have been in contact with a positive case.
Other companies, like the Robert Group, have not yet succeeded in obtaining rapid tests. The logistics and transport company, which works in particular in the field of food, however, also has personnel issues linked to the Omicron variant. 70 of their 1,200 warehouse workers are currently in isolation, more than half of them preventively.
The Quebec Employers Council also believes that self-testing is an adequate solution and that the government must facilitate access to these tests for all businesses. “Regarding PCR tests, we understand the fact that the government must currently prioritize vulnerable communities and thus limit the pressure on the health system”, underlines however the vice-president of public and governmental affairs of the CPQ, Arnaud Champalbert.
Union fears
The Federation of Workers of Quebec (FTQ), which represents more than 600,000 people, does not share the enthusiasm of the business community. “This is news that worries us particularly when we know that workplaces are the places among which there are the highest rates of contamination”, indicates the president of the central labor union, Daniel Boyer, by way of a press release. .
The latter also asked for details in relation to this announcement. “For example, will people who are infected work with those who are not?” Asks Mr. Boyer.