Labour Day in Telework
By Michael Thomas Kowalsky, labour law graduate student at UQÀM
May Day is typically marked by a massive mobilisation of workers’ groups, but the end of the summer is marked by Labour Day, a holiday that deserves analysis in this time of widespread teleworking. Labour Day, like all public holidays, was accomplished by the labour movement. However, it deserves to be re-examined, because work itself has recently changed and therefore it is necessary to reconsider what we celebrate.
The workplace has changed because of the pandemic. Offices in the city centre followed the guidelines to have only a limited number of staff on the premises. There has consequently been a migration to telecommunication, from working in the office to working at home. Professionals have adapted their work tools and became adept at holding digital teleconferences. They have rearranged their homes to accommodate the space required for a proper workspace. This did not come without discomfort.
Many workers had difficulty ensuring that their furniture was ergonomic, that they had adequate lighting and that their internet connection was stable. Many experienced eye pain after spending long hours in front of their computer screens. Working from home has taken away the human aspect of working in a room full of colleagues where ideas can be exchanged. Workers found that the line between their work and personal lives became thin or non-existent. Confined to the home, it was impossible to leave the workplace. Of course, with all these negative elements, one might well ask: what are we celebrating on Labour Day?
Why do we celebrate?
Before baking a cake to celebrate the day and satisfy one’s sweet tooth, one must examine the effects of the pandemic on the workplace. The economy has suffered greatly. Business opportunities have diminished and many have lost their jobs. Supply chains have been shut down because of concerns about transmission of the virus. However, other sectors of the economy, such as health services, have been declared essential. Here we can celebrate the diligence and hard work of care givers in hospitals and elder residences who have led the fight against COVID-19 and kept people safe.
In this special year, we should celebrate our physical and psychological health. The closure of training centres (along with other non-essential services) has led people to rediscover outdoor activities such as hiking, jogging and cycling. Many municipalities across the province have created pedestrian streets to allow their citizens to move around in accordance with social distancing guidelines. The isolation caused by confinement, which is harmful to mental health, was countered by social events held online. In particular, these allowed people to remain connected to each other, despite the physical distance between them. The Labour Day celebrations will have to be a mixed concoction, while never forgetting the millions who have lost their lives or continue to live with the after-effects of the pandemic.
Power dynamics
The inevitable changes in the workplace have caused new conflicts at work. At Grey Casgrain LLP, we act as civil mediators between employees and their employers. If you have a problem at work, we invite you to send us your complaint against your employer so that we can resolve it before it is too late.
