Workers have the right to refuse unsafe work. Anyone working in BC should understand their workplace health and safety responsibilities, which can be found at WorkSafeBC. However if your employer is following safety guidelines, your refusal could be taken as you quitting. Quitting has serious consequences as you will likely not be eligible for many of the benefits meant to help workers affected by the coronavirus outbreak, including the Canada Response Benefit. Consider your options before refusing work: talk to your boss about ways to make you feel more safe, review WorkSafeBC guidelines, and get legal advice.
You may also make a complaint or raise an issue directly to WorkSafeBC.
See: Can I get free legal advice during the COVID-19 crisis?
See People’s Law School’s COVID-19 Coronavirus page for more work-related information.
