Corporate

 Workplace Safety & Prevention Services  | 12 To increase awareness of mental health risks in the industry and provide supporting tools, WSPS led a panel of experts in discussing the topic at the Restaurants Canada Show in March 2021. On social media, an attendee commented that "This panel is truly a lived experience cross-country." WSPS was also an exhibitor and sponsor at the event. Retail, Violence and Harassment Enforcement of COVID-19 health and safety protocols, such as the wearing of face coverings, has significantly increased the number of workplace violence and harassment-related incidents in the retail and food service sectors. WSPS has been working with these businesses to provide guidance, extending its reach through virtual and digital channels such as: Workplace Violence and COVID-19: What Employers in the Retail/Food Service Sector Need to Know: In September 2020, WSPS held a webinar to provide employers with insight on managing workplace violence and harassment during challenging times Are your employees prepared to handle COVID-linked violence? This article, shared in WSPS' August 2020 eNews newsletter, outlined the reasons why this hazard should be considered a top priority for service sector businesses. It also shared guidance from WSPS' Workplace Violence and COVID-19: What Employers in the Retail/Service Sector Need to Know resource When Customers Misbehave – Canadian Grocer: WSPS experts contributed to an article on this topic in October 2020. Small Business Spotlight Helping Ontario's small businesses is one of WSPS' top priorities. In 2020/21, WSPS engaged with over 70 community groups (such as the Belleville Small Business Centre and Downtown Welland BIA) and delivered 98 virtual speaking engagements to 2,296 participants from small businesses. Topics included Safety Insights for Getting Back to Business during COVID-19 and Road Map to Simple Safety Solutions. These engagements were often collaborations with MLTSD, WSIB, Ministry of Economic Development, and Public Health. Mental Health in Hospitality The hospitality industry has been particularly affected by the pandemic, with businesses shutting down or significantly modifying operations. As the provincial organization (Ontario Business Improvement Area Association) that helps build capacity of BIAs across the province, we have and will continue to share the WSPS information in our newsletters which we send out twice weekly since the beginning of the crisis. WSPS has been a go-to location to help BIAs and their member businesses (within Ontario's main streets) know what workplace safety looks like and what steps they can take in beginning to reopen and recover. — KAY MATTHEWS Executive Director OBIAA Services

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