TORONTO - The provincial government has approved an emergency order allowing school board employees to be voluntarily redeployed to hospitals, care homes, and women's shelters, as the COVID-19 pandemic strains those facilities' resources.
"Many of our long-term care homes and shelters are short of staff," said Premier Doug Ford in a release. "I am encouraging any available educational workers to help out if you can, because you can make a real difference in the lives of those most in need."
Under the order, boards are authorized to develop staff redeployment plans, but the program will be voluntary for staff. The staff would continue to be paid by the school board, and would also be eligible for the government's pandemic pay top-up of four dollars per hour, as well as the emergency child care program.
The government said custodial and maintenance duties were two areas where help would be needed.
"While all the Trustee Associations that represent school boards, and many of the unions have confirmed their willingness to help out, there is no provision within the School Boards Collective Bargaining Act to redeploy staff to non-education employers," said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education. "This emergency order opens the door for our educational workers to voluntarily go where they are needed most during this crisis."
The government says training and appropriate personal protective equipment will be provided to any staff who volunteer for redeployment.
