Job Title:  Advisor, Human Rights, Workplace Harassment and Violence

Job Description

The Advisor, Human Rights, Workplace Harassment and Violence leads complex and sensitive complaint investigations by impartially and objectively conducting interviews, gathering and analyzing evidence, assessing credibility and documenting and articulating findings and recommendations. As the subject matter expert, the Advisor provides advice to clients and business partners on the handling of formal and internal Human Rights and Workplace Harassment and Violence complaints. The Advisor negotiates and conciliates settlements of Human Rights and Workplace Harassment and Violence complaints, analyzes and writes investigation and conciliation reports, 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 Workplace Harassment and Violence 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. 
 

Job Responsibilities

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

1.    Leads the resolution of complex and confidential Human Rights and Workplace Harassment and Violence complaints by conducting unbiased and fair investigations on internal complaints and formal and pre-emptive complaints received through the CHRC or other designated recipients. Conducts interviews, gathers and analyzes evidence, assesses credibility, documents findings, provides recommendations and writes formal investigative reports with determative findings in accordance with established legal practices, policies and collective agreements. 

2.    Reviews and analyzes internal and divisional investigation reports on Human Rights and Workplace Harassment and Violence complaints and determines appropriate actions, including assigning a mandate to an Investigator. 

3.    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 Workplace Harassment and Violence that originate from employees, customers, and other sources. Facilitates early and timely resolution of disputes and ensures compliance with all relevant legislation, policies and collective agreements.

4.    Represents the Corporation in a variety of legal settings and participates, defends and provides testimony to support the outcome of the investigation (e.g., arbitration hearings, Canadian Human Rights Commission). 

5.    Acts as the Subject Matter Expert on Human Rights and Workplace Harassment and Violence matters. Provides advice and guidance to Senior Management, Business Partners, Team Leads and internal and external stakeholders regarding Human Rights and Workplace Harassment and Violence complaints. 
 

Job Responsibilities (continued)

6.    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 Harassment and Violence. Liaises with CHRC, Network of Corporate Human Rights Practitioners, ESDC and other external agencies, organizations, committees and associations.

7.    Participates in conciliating settlements of Human Rights complaints with the CHRC. Prepares conciliation reports and corporate positions for submission to the CHRC.

 
8.    Assesses Human Rights and Workplace Harassment and Violence 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 operational activities, such as referrals, communications, and payments. Ensures compliance to contract requirements and assumes vendor on-boarding and off-boarding.

9.    Facilitates the effective reporting of workplace harassment and violence investigations. Receives investigator reports, completes redactions based on disclosure agreements with parties and prepares executive summary reports for the Policy Committee. Maintains detailed confidential records of investigations and inquiries. Prepares high quality, investigation reports and makes recommendations, in accordance with relevant legislation and case law.

10.    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.

11.    Analyzes, prepares and provides reports and determinative interpretations of Human Rights and Workplace Harassment and Violence issues to management, other corporate functions and stakeholders for the purpose of risk management and prevention.
 

Qualifications

Education

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

•    Law degree (LLB or JD) is considered an asset

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 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 to assess the relevance of evidence 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