Calgary-based Shaw Communications announced Tuesday that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused the company to temporarily lay off 10 per cent of its workforce.

Most of those laid off work in retail and sales roles, the company said in an emailed release.

The company said it currently has about 10,000 employees and fewer than 1,000 were laid off.

Shaw and, and Shaw-owned Freedom Mobile, have closed most retail stores in accordance with government directives to slow the spread of COVID-19.

"Government leaders across the country have taken significant and necessary steps to ensure the health and safety of Canadians and to limit the spread of the virus. These measures have resulted in dramatic shortages or stoppages of work in specific areas of our business where we have had to make the hard decisions being announced today," said Shaw president Paul McAleese.

"We value the hard work and expertise of all our employees in helping deliver connectivity to our customers across the country. Unfortunately, these changes are necessary until our business activities resume to more normal levels."

The layoffs will begin Thursday.

The company said it's ineligible for emergency government assistance programs but that it will top up EI payments for employees, and that it will continue to extend benefits and pension contributions for eligible non-unionized employees during temporary layoffs.

Shaw said during the pandemic, it's seen increased usage from its network as more Canadians stay home and rely on the internet to stay connected.