Respiratory Infectious Diseases (RIDs): Workers’ Rights and Responsibilities

All Canadian provinces and territories have laws in place to protect the health and safety of workers. Learn about your rights and responsibilities as a worker in Canada.

Worker Rights and Responsibilities Infographic and its text description

Infographic: COVID-19: Worker Rights and Responsibilities

Description: Respiratory Infectious Diseases (RIDs): Workers’ Rights and Responsibilities

Workers’ Health and Safety Rights

All workers in Canada have these three rights

  1. Right to know
    • About hazards in the workplace, including potential exposure to respiratory infectious diseases, and how to protect yourself.
  2. Right to participate
    • Through your health and safety representative or safety committee.
    • By discussing health and safety concerns with your supervisor.
  3. Right to refuse unsafe work
    • That you believe is dangerous to your health and safety or that of another worker.
    • Immediately report work refusals to your supervisor and follow the specific steps for your province or territory.

Workers' Responsibilities

Protect yourself and others from respiratory infectious diseases

  • Get vaccinated: Consider vaccination if one is available and you are eligible.
  • Monitor for symptoms: Self-monitor for symptoms of respiratory infectious diseases.
  • Stay home when sick: Limit contact with others.
  • Practise proper hand hygiene: Wash or sanitize your hands often.
  • Have proper respiratory etiquette: Cough or sneeze into your elbow or tissue.
  • Attend training: Understand respiratory infectious diseases and how to prevent illness.
  • Clean and disinfect often: High-touch surfaces and shared objects.
  • Wear a mask: When sick, seasonally, or in poorly ventilated, crowded settings.

Human Rights

Human rights are protected by federal, provincial, and territorial laws. Laws protect individuals from discrimination based on grounds such as race, national origin, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, and marital status.

For additional information contact the human rights agency in your province or territory.

Questions and Concerns

If you have any questions or concerns about your rights, you can discuss with your:

  • Supervisor or employer
  • Health and safety committee representative
  • Health and Safety regulator in your province or territory
  • For more information: canada.ca/respiratory-viruses

    Document last updated on: 2023-12-12