Labour and Employee Relations Officer/Business Partner - Full-time

Description

Position at VON Canada Requisition Details:Employment Status: Regular, Full-time (1.0 FTE)
Program Name: Labour and Employee Relations
Number of Hours Bi-Weekly: 75
Work Schedule: Days
On Call: No
Existing Vacancy: Yes - we're currently hiring candidates for an existing vacancy in this position. Job Summary: The Labour and Employee Relations Officer/Business Partner (LERO/BP) supports the development and implementation of a labour relations strategy and leads various labour relations functions including grievance administration, collective agreement interpretation, employee relations, investigations and response in support of the operational and strategic objectives. This role provides strategic and tactical counsel to all levels of management on labour relations matters within a multifaceted unionized and non-unionized environment to deliver value-added service that reflects the strategic goals of VON. The LERO/BP is responsible for developing collaborative strategic relationships with unions and VON leadership, advising on collective agreement administration, employee relations matters and providing training, education and support to VON managers and HR colleagues.Key Responsibilities:

• Provide subject matter expertise regarding all labour and employee relations matters.
• Provide guidance, advice, coaching, and support to HR Business Partners –General and leaders regarding complex and escalated performance and attendance management, return to work, accommodation, collective agreement and policy interpretation, legislative, and labour and employee relations files.
• Act as a valued and proactive partner to understand and assess impacts to VON’s business, processes, and policies resulting from developments in the Labour Relations (LR) field, changes in collective agreements, negotiation outcomes, and the results of various LR approaches.
• Collaborate with leaders to recommend appropriate strategies and mitigations.
• Provide advice, guidance, and recommendations concerning complex labour and employee relations issues to minimize risk and financial exposure.
• Interpret multiple collective bargaining agreements and provide proactive, strategic advice and counsel on the interpretation of those agreements and the implementation of its contents.
• Provide coaching, guidance, and advice to the HRBP-General to support the provision of HR services.
• Provide LR advice and guidance to the HRBP-General for grievances below step 2 for discipline and termination, as needed.
• Liaison between the HR Business Partners -General and the unions.
• Lead the grievance process including, but not limited to, being responsible for matters progressing beyond Step 2, leading grievance and dispute resolution management, representing the organization at mediations, and partnering with the Director/Senior Director Labour and Employee Relations and Legal Counsel on matters proceeding to arbitration.
• Provide support, guidance, and recommendations to the HRBP-General and leaders regarding progressive discipline and terminations, workforce planning and restructuring matters, in a timely and consistent manner aligned with the relevant collective agreement and/or legislation.
• Analyze trends in grievances to advise the Director/Senior Director of Labour and Employee Relations of issues requiring attention.
• Act as a key member of all Collective Bargaining teams to achieve bargaining outcomes.
• Lead the rollout of new or revised policies and collective agreements.
• Lead various workplace investigations as appropriate.
• Attend legal proceedings such as hearings at the Human Rights Tribunal and the Labour Board and lead preparation for same.
• Lead, participate, and support union-management committees and meetings and labour management meetings.
• Consult with the external legal consultants on complex collective agreement interpretation and application as well as other legal matters.
• Participate in knowledge transfer and collaborative decision-making with other LERO/BPs across the organization.
• Collaborate with partners both within and outside of Human Resources to appropriately collect and consider all information related to matters being pursued, and to ensure the provision of advice/direction is consistent and well supported.
• Collaborate with LERO/BPs who provide similar support to clients to ensure consistency in the application and administration of programs and initiatives.
• Collaborate and assist with creating and presenting Labour Relations metrics.
• Deliver training, leadership learning, and development sessions on LR/ER-related issues including the interpretation of collective bargaining agreements.
• Analyze trends in grievances to prepare education and training for grievance prevention strategies.
• Analyze other employee-related data to identify areas of opportunity for site support.
• Develop training session and communications for Managers regarding changes with the collective agreement, recent trends and grievance prevention strategies.
• Partner with appropriate parties in OD on client site specific education.
• Partner with the LERO/BP on employee specific education.

Common Responsibilities:

• Promotes the goals and values of VON and their role as an integrated community care provider.
• Promotes a safe and healthy workplace ensuring workplace conduct and activities are in accordance with the provincial Occupational Health and Safety Act and Regulations and compliant with the VON Safety Management System, including all Policies, Safe Work Practices and Procedures.
• Abides by all VON policies and work practices.
• Abides by all confidentiality and protection of personal information policies, regulations and practices and ensures appropriate safeguards are in place within their role.
• Works in collaboration with other staff in a team approach to service delivery.

External and Internal Relationships:

• Work with VON national and regional leadership teams in preparing for collective bargaining; in post-bargaining rollout and training initiatives
• Strong collaboration with VON national and region leadership teams and Human Resources department
• Strong interactions and relationships with union representatives and bargaining lead to promote a co-operative and effective labour relations climate
• Maintain professional relationship with employees at all levels
• Represent the organization and give direction to outside stakeholders as required on labour/employee matters
• Extensive interaction on behalf of VON with legal services, Ministry of Labour, government agencies and other relevant stakeholders

Education, Designations and Experience:

• Post secondary degree in labour relations, law or related discipline
• Knowledge of labour/management principles, provincial employment law, Human Rights, statutes and the Labour Relations Board process(es) and collective agreement administration
• A minimum of 5 years broad and progressive labour relations experience including participation in collective bargaining (as a member of the bargaining or bargaining support team) and contract administration and interpretation.
• Familiarity with provincial labour regulations, collective agreements, provincial worker compensation legislation and practice, and various labour organizations.
• Experience with Nova Scotia and Ontario healthcare unions is an asset
• Experience in a health care environment preferred
• Chartered Professional Human Resources (CPHR) Certified Human Resources Leader (CHRL) designation is an asset

Skill Requirements:

• High level of credibility, professionalism and integrity.
• Thrive in fast-paced, complex environment and are committed to enhancing the overall employee experience, performance and effectiveness of VON.
• Build productive and collaborative working relationships at all levels of the organization.
• Analytical skills to review data to make recommendations.
• Strong relationship building and management skills with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong negotiation, mediation, workplace investigation and conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, influencing and verbal/written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Anticipate changes required within the business and drives them in partnership with business leaders.
• Exercise good judgment, discretion and initiative in dealing with confidential information and/or in responding to inquiries.
• Demonstrated commitment to on-going learning and professional development.

Other:

• Must have personal vehicle and possess both a current driver’s license and proof of vehicle insurance
• Willingness to travel regularly during the day as well as periodically overnight(s) to support sites and attend meetings
• Police check etc.
• The use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) maybe required

Working conditions and physical demands: This role requires a detail-oriented approach in a dynamic environment, with physical activity including lifting, carrying (using proper techniques), bending, reaching, kneeling, and other movements that emphasize good body mechanics. Individuals in the role are required to walk, sit, stand, and climb stairs throughout the day, with some tasks requiring fine hand movements.

VON Canada is committed to embracing and celebrating equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) as fundamental to living out our values of Respect, Compassion, and Excellence in all that we do.