Human Resources Advisor - Labour Relations

Town of Whitby; Whitby; Hybrid; CAD 109,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a proactive Human Resources Advisor to provide strategic HR solutions within assigned client groups. This role focuses on labour relations, employee relations, and recruitment, ensuring compliance with policies and legislation. The ideal candidate will possess a Bachelor's degree in Human Resource Administration and significant experience in labour relations and recruitment. Join a dynamic team that values flexibility and empowers employees to excel in a hybrid work environment, while offering a comprehensive benefits package to support your work-life balance.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits program

Pension program

Flexible work arrangements

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in labour relations and grievance handling.
• Experience in full-cycle recruitment in a unionized environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide HR solutions and support for management and employees.
• Handle grievances and support collective bargaining processes.

Skills

Labour Relations

Employee Relations

Recruitment

Conflict Resolution

Workplace Investigations

Policy Compliance

Coaching

Change Management

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Human Resource Administration

CHRP or CHRL designation

Lean Green Belt certification

Job description

What You Will Get To Do

Reporting to the Senior Manager, HR Advisory Services, the Human Resources Advisor position focuses on providing proactive, innovative, strategic and business focused Human Resource solutions and recommendations within assigned client groups. This is achieved through providing leadership and consultative support to all stakeholders, management, union executive and employees to ensure successful results in accordance with relevant HR policies and processes, collective agreements, and applicable Legislation.

This role is responsible for being the first point of contact for management and employees within assigned client groups, providing expertise on a broad range of Human Resources functions with a strong focus on labour/employee relations, which will account for approximately 80% of daily responsibilities. This position will also support and contribute other HR functions such as talent acquisition, organizational development, attendance support, disability management, training and development and legislative & policy compliance.

The majority of this role’s time will be dedicated to the following:

Labour & Employee Relations

• Execute assigned labour relations strategies by implementing Town policies, programs and procedures related to labour relations; while dealing with highly sensitive, confidential issues.
• Advise all levels of management on the interpretation of relevant policies, collective agreements, legislation and other terms and conditions of employment legislation, ensuring that all relevant legislation, collective agreement and policy driven obligations are met.
• Work closely with the Senior Manager, HR Advisory Services, H.R. subject matter experts, assigned client groups, local union representatives and employees to identify early resolution opportunities in order to promote and maintain positive union/employee relations and reduce conflict within the workplace.
• Provide coaching and advice to all levels of management on issues related to employee performance, attendance, discipline or dismissal, ensuring managers have the tools and training necessary to handle employee issues. Make recommendations on the level of progressive discipline depending on the situation and legal precedence.
• Support the Bargaining Committee and external legal counsel with collective bargaining prep by gathering background information, assisting with the development of collective agreement proposals, participating during negotiations as needed, and supporting the implementation of collective agreement changes once collective bargaining is complete.
• Strategically handle grievances; by leading and managing files through first and second step hearings with management staff, providing exceptional judgement, acuity, and expertise to provide consultation and recommendations on proposed resolutions or next steps and drafting detailed responses and/or Memorandums of Settlements to the Union Executive.
• Supporting the Senior Manager, HR Advisory Services in preparing research and/or documentation in the event a grievance is escalated throughout the established process; including /mediation and/or /arbitration preparation and resolution.
• Represent the Town of Whitby at arbitration hearings, working with external legal counsel when called upon as witness (as required).
• Partner with assigned client groups while conducting fact finding investigations of potential disciplinary issues and provide employee and labour relations guidance to address employee behavior and performance issues using problem-solving and dispute resolution strategies, Town policies, procedures and sound judgement to help resolve problems quickly. Draft detailed disciplinary letters and/or documentation for people leaders within assigned client groups.
• Conduct confidential workplace investigations and prepare summary reports and recommendations to resolve conflicts and issues; in consultation with the Senior Manager, HR Advisory Services and/or Head of Organizational Effectiveness review status and outcomes and determine next steps including creating and facilitating workplace restoration strategies following investigations (if applicable).
• Partner with the Senior Manager, HR Advisory Services to develop/offer creative and effective recommendations and solutions to clients to resolve complex, ambiguous, and/or escalated labour relations. As required, engage with external mediation consultants to organize and develop customized performance improvement plans, coaching sessions and/or team diagnostics/remedial work.
• Attend labour management committee meetings; support the Senior Manager, HR Advisory Services in preparation of meetings

While labour relations tasks are the core responsibilities for this role, the Human Resources Advisor will also support and contribute to other HR functions, such as:

Strategic Partnering

• As a member of the larger HR team provide input and direction on HR initiatives, representing the views of assigned client groups.
• Work closely with the Learning and Development Specialist and management to identify and implement training and development programs within assigned client groups for all levels of staff in order to increase staff competency and meet departmental priorities
• In partnership with the Senior Manager, HR Advisory Services and HR subject matter experts provide change management expertise, process and/or continuous improvement assistance to client and employee groups, which may include the assessment of current and future states, process mapping, recommendations for re-design, help to develop more effective and efficient methods to achieve desired results.
• Work closely with the Health, Wellness and Attendance Specialist to support assigned client groups with the implementation and administration of the Town’s Attendance Support Program, Temporary Workplace Accommodation and Permanent Accommodation programs.
• Partner with hiring managers and Human Resources to understand business and human capital needs and role requirements. Assist the Senior Manager, HR Advisory Services and assigned client groups with the development of both strategic and operational workforce planning.
• Assist management within assigned client groups in the development of position descriptions; research similar positions internally and externally.

Talent Acquisition

• Responsible for assisting in designing, recommending, implementing and coordinating corporate recruitment and selection processes that comply with relevant employment legislation, collective agreements, attracts both active and passive candidates and meets corporate and departmental hiring objectives.
• Participate in the full cycle recruitment process. Support all phases of staffing and redeployment processes, provide analysis and potential risks and recommendations on hiring decisions.
• Conduct consultative planning sessions with hiring managers to set expectations and timelines for the recruitment process; create job postings; assist with selecting and prescreening candidates, identify qualified candidates using talent assessment tools developed in consultation with hiring department, participate in interviews; develop, present and negotiate job offers to successful candidates.
• Uphold the integrity of the recruitment process and ensure a bias-free and fair selection process taking into account Corporate and legislative standards.
• Provide feedback and advice to applicants on interview performance, interview preparation and test results.

Engagement, Recognition and Wellness

• Conduct thorough exit interviews with departing staff, analyzing feedback and flagging areas of concerns and/or improvement.
• Advocate and be part of corporate teams or committees to provide guidance, advice and offer assistance on various recommendations and initiatives across the organization. As an example, an employee advisory roundtable mandated to develop and recommend measures aimed at increasing employee engagement.
• Plan staff engagement events and facilitation/coordination of employee recognition program and annual events

What You Bring To Our Team

As the successful applicant, you must possess:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resource Administration, Industrial Relations, Psychology or related discipline
• Minimum of three (3) years’ experience in labour relations, including handling grievances, supporting the collective bargaining process and conducting fact finding, workplace investigations and discipline and/or termination meetings
• Minimum of three (3) years of full-cycle recruitment experience, preferably in a unionized environment
• CHRP or CHRL designation in good standing or working towards designation
• A combination of equivalent experience and education may be considered
• Lean Green Belt or higher level certification would be an asset
• Comprehensive understanding of relevant employment legislation, including ESA, OHRC, AODA, and demonstrated ability to address and apply legislation in policy and practice
• Flexibility and workload/project management skills to effectively manage multiple tasks and deadlines and respond effectively and efficiently

What We Offer You

• A comprehensive benefits and pension program to ensure that your total compensation package addresses both your work and life needs
• A hybrid work environment and flexible work arrangements is where employees are empowered to do their best work in the way that works for them

Salary Range:

$109,693.00 - $124,652.00

Hours:

Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., plus additional hours as required.