March 13, 2020Back to Latest

We take the health and safety of our staff, the public and the profession seriously. As part of this commitment, the Law Society is taking the necessary steps to follow the advice from Alberta Health Services and other government agencies as the COVID-19 situation evolves in Alberta.

While, according to Alberta Health Services, the current risk level in Alberta is low, we are taking proactive measures wherever possible in our own operations to reduce the risk of exposure for our organization and stakeholders.

What does this mean for the profession?

Beginning immediately, we have postponed all in-person events hosted by the Law Society and will continue to evaluate this decision on a monthly basis. In the meantime, we will use conferencing and webinars as alternatives to continue sharing valuable resources and information.

If you have questions about Law Society operations, please visit our website or contact our customer service team.

How can you protect yourself?

It is a good idea to take steps to protect your health and those around you in the workplace. This includes practising good hygiene and following prevention recommendations from the World Health Organization and the Government of Canada. You can also read the Alberta Health Services FAQ on the virus.

Some of the basic precautions are:

• Wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds
• Use approved hand sanitizers
• Avoid touching your face/mouth, especially with unwashed hands
• Avoid close contact with people and animals if illness is suspected
• Cough into a tissue or your elbow and then wash your hands immediately
• Follow instructions from Alberta Health Services if you think you may have COVID-19.

How can you prepare and protect your firm/organization?

Preparing for a public health event should be part of your own firm or organization’s business continuity planning. Having a plan will save valuable time and resources later. Some simple tips to consider include:

• Increase work area hygiene by cleaning door handles, desks, phones, etc. daily
• Suspend conventional business etiquette such as hand shaking
• Limit in-person meetings by leveraging technology e.g. video conferencing
• Plan for removal of work access and ensure staff have the access and tools needed
• Notify clients and customers if work hours or your operations change
• Keep your voicemail, website and/or social media updated regarding changes to your operations
• Review sick leave benefits and discuss with your staff in case self-quarantine is required

This is not a complete list as there are many things to consider in your business continuity planning, but it’s a start. While the current risk level is low, there is no time like the present to plan for the future and build in systems that will protect your practice and your clients. View our disaster planning and recovery website resources and Business Continuity and Succession Plan Guide and Checklist for general information on contingency planning.