Job Description

The Advisor, Human Rights, Workplace Harassment and Violence (WHV) acts as the subject matter expert and provides advice to clients and business partners on the handling of complaints, ensuring compliance with the legislation, collective agreements, and applicable policies. The advisor liaises with external investigators and acts in negotiated settlements of Human Rights and Workplace Harassment and Violence complaints, analyzes statistics derived from these activities and provides informed recommendations for resolution.

The Advisor undertakes accommodation requests, provides advice and guidance regarding grievances and other matters related to Human Rights and WHV that originate from employees, customers, and other sources. Acts as the liaison with the Canadian Human Rights Commission (CHRC), Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and other external agencies. The Advisor may be called upon to carry out investigations and/or gather information in relations to situations of a delicate and sensitive nature and to write a report of conclusions and recommendations when necessary.

Job Responsibilities

Below are the main job requirements and responsibilities for the Advisor, Human Rights, Workplace Harassment and Violence:

1. Acts as the Subject Matter Expert on Human Rights and WHV matters. Provides advice and guidance to Senior Management, Business Partners, Team Leads and internal and external stakeholders.

2. Manages the resolution of complex and confidential complaints by ensuring that investigations are conducted in a fair and impartial manner.  Gathers and analyzes evidence, documents findings, provides recommendations and develops strategies in the context of the situations to be managed in accordance with the practices and policies of the organization as well as the collective agreements in compliance with the legislative framework.

3. Reviews and analyzes investigation reports on Human Rights and WHV complaints and determines appropriate actions to take.

4. Partners and collaborates with Legal Affairs, Labour Relations, and other functions to undertake accommodation requests and provide advice and guidance regarding grievances and other matters related to Human Rights and WHV that originate from employees, customers, and other sources. Represents the Corporation in a variety of legal settings and provides testimony to support the outcome of the investigation (e.g., arbitration hearings, Canadian Human Rights Commission).

Job Responsibilities (continued)

5. Keeps abreast of changes to legislation and regulation and remains informed of all policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines, as well as relevant collective agreements and industry best practices related to Human Rights and Workplace Harassment and Violence. Provides input on corporate policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the CHRC and ESDC requirements, as well as Canadian legislation and jurisprudence in the areas of Human Rights and WHV. Liaises with CHRC, Network of Corporate Human Rights Practitioners, ESDC and other external agencies, organizations, committees, and associations.

6. Participates in the settlements of Human Rights complaints with the CHRC. Prepares required reports and corporate positions for submission to the CHRC.

7. Assesses Human Rights and WHV complaints at the investigation stage to identify suitable Investigators based on case specifics (i.e., relationship between parties, complexity, number of parties implicated, involvement of other dispute resolution processes, gender, language of request, etc.). Receives, prepares, and provides relevant information and documentation to the selected Investigator. Manages external investigation vendor activities, such as referrals, communications and mandate.

8. Performs the effective reporting of WHV investigations received from our external investigators within the required deadlines and ensures the implementation of the necessary steps to ensure proper follow-up. Maintains detailed, confidential records of investigations and inquiries.

9. Collaborates with internal stakeholders to promote visibility and awareness of Human Rights and Workplace Harassment and Violence through various communications mediums. Contributes to the development of training and communication tools to support the requirements of internal/external audits and agreements.

Qualifications

Education

•    Post-secondary degree or diploma in Industrial Relations, Law, Human Rights, Dispute Resolution, or equivalent combination of education and experience

Experience

Two or more years’ experience in Human Rights, Complaint Investigation/Dispute Resolution, Labour Relations, or similar work experience

Knowledge and experience in investigation and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) principles for conflict resolution.

Considerable knowledge of related legislation (Canada Labour Code-Occupational Health & Safety, Canadian Human Rights Code and other applicable federal legislation), contractual obligations including administration of Collective Agreements, and industry best practices

Other Information

Other Candidate Requirements

• Highly developed communication, presentation, and human relations skills with the ability to communicate persuasively and effectively at all organizational levels.

• Strong analytical skills and ability to exercise sound judgment.

• Ability to exercise discretion, remain impartial and work with autonomy.

• Influence/Negotiation skills

• Decision making abilities

• Information gathering abilities

Other Information

 - Permanant position

 - This position requires an intermediate level of bilingualism (french & english) both oral and written

 - This position includes a mix of working from home and in office