Over the course of the ongoing pandemic, an increase in COVID-19 related claims has been reported by BC’s workers compensation board, WorkSafeBC. According to their website, 12,619 claims relating to COVID-19 were submitted over the past 14 months. Only 72% of these were accepted. While healthcare and education are the two subsectors with the highest amount of claims, retail and service businesses don’t trail far behind. These businesses have had their own set of challenges.
“It was difficult to adapt in such a small space,” said Tam Hagen, owner of Quilchena Cannabis. He says that managing the pandemic’s effects on his Merritt business was possible, but not easy.
“Through a system of masking, vaccination, social distancing, and sanitization, we were able to get through the pandemic without any employees contracting COVID in the workplace.”
Many employees have not been as fortunate. With over 3.7 million total cases recorded in Canada so far, and 510 million worldwide, completely avoiding the pandemic while on the job is simply not possible for the vast majority of workers in Merritt, and all over.
Although employers in BC are no longer required to have a WorksafeBC approved COVID-19 Safety Plan, they must now follow communicable disease guidance to ensure the wellbeing of workers and customers alike.
The COVID-19 pandemic has been top of mind for most people in the business community, leaving many struggling to keep up with ever-changing restrictions and protocols. From an increased need for mental health support, to keeping six feet apart in smaller spaces, the challenges can be felt in Merritt businesses and beyond.
“We’ve had to work with people in a more stressful environment, which has caused a lot of mental health awareness,” said Clara Moyes, office administrator for Merritt Home Hardware. “We’ve had some sick days, but we’ve really only had a few disruptions. I think more so our mental health has suffered.”
These mental health challenges were recently identified by Statistics Canada as a key issue facing Canadians, with 25% of those over 18 screening positive for symptoms of depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder. A decrease in social connections, along with the stress and anxiety of a global pandemic, have allowed an overall deterioration of emotional wellness.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted Canadians’ and for many, this has affected their mental and physical health, relationships, employment and other aspects of life,” said the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, federal Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. The federal government has recently invested heavily in mental health supports, looking to support those affected.
“The distress centres being invested in offer very important assistance across the country, connecting people to appropriate support and resources that will have substantial benefits and will help those in crisis. We want people to know, if they need help, that they are not alone and that there is support available to them.”