Senior Labour Relations Specialist, Human Resources, Temporary Full-Time

CHEO; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 98,000 - 116,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare organization in Ottawa is seeking a Senior Labour Relations Specialist to enhance employee relations and lead HR services. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in labour relations and will support management with expert guidance on HR policies and investigations. This role promotes a collaborative working environment and involves leading complex negotiations and dispute resolutions, ensuring compliance with legal obligations and best practices.

Benefits

Company pension

Dental care

Employee assistance program

Extended health care

Life insurance

On-site gym

On-site parking

Paid time off

Relocation assistance

Vision care

Wellness program

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in a unionized environment.
• Expertise in collective bargaining and grievance administration.
• Strong understanding of employment law and policies.

Responsibilities

• Provide expert advice on employee and labour relations.
• Lead workplace investigations and resolve disputes.
• Support managers in implementing HR policies.

Skills

Mediation

Labour Relations

Conflict Resolution

Project Management

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Education

University degree in related field

Certified Human Resources designation (CHRP, CHRL)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Workday

Job description

Overview

JOB SUMMARY

The Senior Labour Relations Specialist will contribute to developing and maintaining a skilled, positive and collaborative work environment by delivering a range of HR services and providing leadership, expert advice and training to the human resources team, leaders, and supervisors. The Senior Labour Relations Specialist is a non-unionized position that performs a range of Human Resource duties with a focus on labour and employee relations, union relations, and workplace investigations, in accordance with, internal policies, collective agreements, legal obligations and industry best practices. All of CHEO’s workforce must be committed o living the Mission and Values of CHEO and to patient and resident safety, on-going learning, and continuous quality improvement.

Key Responsibilities

Employee and Labour Relations

• Provide expert employee and labour relations consulting services, representation, advice, and support to management staff on relevant labour and employment related issues, including collective agreement interpretation and application, matters involving employee discipline, performance management, attendance/absenteeism, accommodation, disability management, harassment, conflict, alternate dispute resolution and other related issues.
• Establish effective and positive working relationships with all clients and stakeholders including union representatives, managers, employees, and others in order to foster a positive and co-operative working climate.
• Lead investigations, pertaining to allegations of violations of CHEO’s policies, collective agreements or complex human rights and harassment complaints.
• Analyze, interpret, and advise on a wide range of complex employment and labour relations matters and the application of various employment related documents, including agreements, legislation, policies, procedures etc.
• Write detailed reports and recommend appropriate disciplinary and/or administrative action when necessary.
• Lead and facilitate interpersonal mediation or other alternative dispute resolution techniques.
• Support managers and leaders to implement CHEO policies including communication and training
• Lead and / or be an active participant on corporate and various departments’ projects that have employment law or labour relations components and impacts.

Union Relations

• Act as the senior lead labour relations representative for the organization during various stages of the grievance procedure (including grievance investigation, research, preparation, presentation, recommendation, representation, and resolution when appropriate)
• Ensure that grievances are administered in accordance with the collective agreement, accepted practices, established parameters, and in the best interests of the organization.
• Lead and represent the organization in various meetings and stages of dispute resolution and other complex employment related forums, including grievance and arbitration hearings, conciliation, mediation, Human Rights complaints, Labour Relations Board hearings, and Pay Equity disputes.
• Draft, negotiate and/or facilitate resolutions to disputes and conflicts involving employees, unions, other institutions, and agencies when required.
• Lead in all aspects of the collective bargaining process, including research, preparation, drafting proposals, costing, negotiating, assisting CHEO spokesperson, and acting as spokesperson when required.
• Coordinate, lead and act as chairperson on various committees, including Redeployment Committees, Grievance Committees, Labour Management Committees, Job Evaluation Committees, or similar committees.

Program and Policy Development and Implementation

• Work collaboratively with all other areas and specialties within the HR function to develop programs, policies and tools to support managers, leaders and employees.
• Conduct legal and other forms of research as required.
• Support the development and implementation of training and tools designed to assist managers in collaboration with other areas of the HR team
• Collaborate with Occupational Health and Wellbeing Service, managers, Union representatives, and employees in accommodation and disability related cases as required.
• Review, develop and implement employment and labour relations policies and procedures.
• Identify potential areas of compliance risk and support development of mitigation strategies.
• Assist with implementation of Labour Relations aspects of Human Resources strategic plan and other special projects.

QUALIFICATIONS

• University degree in related field, including but not limited to business administration, Human Resources, Labour Relations, or Law (Essential)
• Extensive training and experience with mediation and alternative dispute resolution (Essential)
• Seven (7) years’ related experience in a unionized environment (Essential)
• Training in workplace investigations (Essential)
• Advanced training and experience in labour relations including collective bargaining, grievance administration, arbitration, employment law, performance management, attendance management, conflict resolution, coaching, interviewing, active listening, negotiations (Essential)
• Advanced training and experience in workplace investigations including but not limited to, interviewing skills, report writing, forming recommendations on a balance of probabilities, effective communications with all parties, and working with external counsel. Experience with trauma informed investigations an asset. (Essential)
• Demonstrated experience providing expert guidance and recommendations to all levels of the organization including senior leaders to help solve complex HR related issues (Essential)
• Ability to exercise judgement, tact, and discretion. (Essential)
• Strong abilities in researching, analyzing and problem solving, investigating, project and time management, and conducting risk assessment. (Essential)
• Superior written and oral communication and presentation skills in English with French as an asset. (Essential)
• Strong computer skills with Microsoft products ideally. Experience with Workday an asset. (Essential)
• Excellent planning, project management and organizational skills. (Essential)
• Criminal record check (Level 1) and remain compliant. (Essential)
• Certified Human Resources designation (CHRP, CHRL) (Preferred)
• University degree in Industrial Relations (Preferred)
• Previous experience in an HR Business Partner role within a unionized environment (Preferred)
• Experience and formal training combined with demonstrated performance and ability may substitute for stipulated academic/experience requirements (Preferred)
• Extensive knowledge of hospital administration and structures (Preferred)

Additional Information

Effective March 29, 2021, CHEO will conduct a more comprehensive pre-screening and evaluation process. This process may include more varied and multidimensional testing such as a written test, practical exam, or other assessment. All candidates who meet the essential and preferred qualifications may be tested.

CHEO values diversity and is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process and welcome interest from all qualified applicants.

Should you require accommodation during any phase in the recruitment process, please contact Human Resources at [e-mail]. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential and will be handled in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

Bilingualism (French/English) will be validated by a language proficiency assessment conducted by a third party provider. Candidates will be required to meet the minimum linguistic profile prior to the date of hire.

CHEO is committed to providing a safe environment for staff, patients, and visitors. Consistent with that commitment, all applicants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to be considered for any staff or volunteer opportunities. Applicants are also strongly encouraged to receive their COVID-19 booster shots when eligible to protect against the spread of COVID-19. Upon hiring, presentation of government issued documentation confirming full vaccination must be provided, orpresentation of supporting documentation of a valid medical contraindication or other reasonable consideration pursuant to the Ontario Human Rights Code.

We thank all those who apply, however, only those to be interviewed will be contacted.

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 12 months

Pay: $98,007.00-$115,303.50 per year

Benefits:

• Company pension
• Dental care
• Employee assistance program
• Extended health care
• Life insurance
• On-site gym
• On-site parking
• Paid time off
• Relocation assistance
• Vision care
• Wellness program

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Ottawa, ON K1H 8L1