Director, Employee Relations Policy & Governance

Why you'll love working here:

• high-performance, people-focused culture
• our commitment that equity, diversity, and inclusion are fundamental to our work environment and business success, which helps employees feel valued and empowered to be their authentic selves
• learning and development initiatives, including workshops, Speaker Series events and access to LinkedIn Learning, that support employees' career growth
• membership in HOOPP's world class defined benefit pension plan, which can serve as an important part of your retirement security
• competitive, 100% company-paid extended health and dental benefits for permanent employees, including coverage supporting our team's diversity and mental health (e.g., gender affirmation, fertility and drug treatment, psychological support benefits of $2,500 per year, and newly extended maternity/parental leave top of 26 weeks)
• optional post-retirement health and dental benefits subsidized at 50%
• yoga classes, meditation workshops, nutritional consultations, and wellness seminars
• access to an annual wellness reimbursement program for health and wellness-related expenses for permanent and temporary employees
• the opportunity to make a difference and help take care of those who care for us, by providing a financially secure retirement for Ontario healthcare workers

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Vice President, Human Resources, the Director, Employee Relations Policy & Governance is responsible for employee relations, the development and implementation of policies and procedures that are applicable org-wide, implementing and maintaining governance related to HR matters, resolving workplace conflicts, addressing employee concerns and conducting workplace investigations, among other duties.

The Director, Employee Relations ensures consistency, governance, and accountability in the application of employment policies and practices and has extensive knowledge of employment legislation and always adheres to company and industry regulations.

What you will do:

Implement Policies and Procedures

• Creates and revises organization wide HR policies, including related Board policies, reflecting best practices, and ensuring regulatory compliance as well as compliance with HOOPP's collective agreement. Attends Labour Relations meetings with the Association, as needed, regarding new or updated HR policies.
• Operationalizes new or revised HR policies in collaboration with COEs within HR and other divisions (e.g., Information Technology, Legal Services, and Finance), develops and implements compliance procedures for org-wide HR policies, and provides interpretations, opinions, and recommendations on policy application across the organization.

Resolve Workplace Concerns.

• Addresses workplace conflicts and strives to resolve them in a positive manner that benefits all parties and facilitates healthy working relationships.
• Conducts formal investigations regarding allegations of workplace harassment, discrimination and/or violence in accordance with best practices and HOOPP's policies, including conducting interviews, reviewing relevant evidence, preparing materials, recommending outcomes where appropriate, and preparing closure letters for impacted parties.
• Responsible for handling and resolving complex ER matters.

Employment Agreements

• Manages non-compensation related negotiations regarding HOOPP's employment agreements with internal and external candidates. Maintains all employment agreement templates and works with legal to provide updates to templates and associated documents.

Terminations

• Reviews termination rationale with Legal for all terminations.
• Ensures legal, reputational, and financial risks are mitigated for the organization as well as compliance with the applicable regulations and HOOPP's collective agreement.
• Provides guidance and scripting to leaders, as needed, regarding conducting terminations.
• Review of HOOPP's termination letter/package templates in consultation with Legal to reflect best practices, and ensuring regulatory compliance as well as compliance with HOOPP's collective agreement, incentive plan texts, and employment agreements.
• Supports Legal Services on managing HOOPP's employment-related litigation files with external counsel, including providing instruction and reviewing and contributing to all associated documentation such as statements of defense, and settlement agreements.

ER consulting

• Provides expert advice and recommendations to HRBPs and/or business leaders regarding a broad range of ER issues including performance management, attendance, managing employee concerns, leaves of absence, and misconduct, and ensuring employees are treated in accordance with HOOPP values and also with a view to mitigating legal, financial and reputational risk to HOOPP.
• Develops and updates relevant templates including disciplinary letters, probation extension letters, PIP-related documents.
• Recommends disciplinary action as appropriate and drafting appropriate documentation.

Workplace Accommodations

• Manages non-disability related accommodation requests, including advising on whether HOOPP has a duty to accommodate and if so, identifying appropriate accommodation measures.
• Partners with the HR Benefit's team on disability-related accommodations. Where required, engages a third-party vendor to conduct accommodation reviews for non-disability related requests.

Employee Training

• Keeps updated on regulatory employee training requirements impacting HOOPP.
• In conjunction with COEs, prepares and/or reviews material for legally mandated training to ensure compliance (e.g., AODA, health & safety awareness, and respect in the workplace).
• In conjunction with Learning & Development, conducts Respect in the Workplace training for new employees.
• Attends new hire sessions to introduce and promote the ER function to new staff.

ER Metrics

• Maintains a record of all ER files in Workday.
• Maintains HR policy tracker to ensure policies are reviewed and updated on schedule.
• Prepares annual ER metrics for the Board.
• Maintains a record of non-compensation related negotiated changes to employment agreements for tracking and internal equity purposes.
• Maintains a record of changes to HOOPP's employment agreement templates to ensure version control.

Other

• Prepares Board material regarding Employee Relations, Respect in the Workplace violations and Policy breaches.
• Prepares Employee Relations reports for the CEO as needed.
• As needed, supports HR projects or org-wide projects with employee implications, including reviewing documentation and communications as it relates to legal and reputational risks, and employee impacts.
• Acts as an expert regarding employment-related regulatory matters within the organization
• Supports HOOPP's EDI strategy (e.g., drafting related policies, and ensuring other HR policies reflect EDI principles).
• Develops and updates any ad-hoc letters, templates, or other documentation within HR.

What you bring:

• Minimum 10 years' experience working in an Employee Relations role with supporting experience in other parts of the HR function.
• Degree in Human Resources, Masters in Industrial Relations, or the equivalent in related work experience and training.
• Exceptional understanding of legislative requirements in Ontario Demonstrated ability to foster teamwork and build collaborative relationships.
• Demonstrated experience in corporate policy drafting and implementation.
• Excellent leadership skills.
• Excellent planning, problem-solving, decision-making, negotiating, and troubleshooting skills.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills, adapting to various levels of employees and senior management.
• Ability to handle highly sensitive information with absolute confidentiality and professionalism.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills and conflict management skills.
• Ability to coach employees at all levels.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage many competing demands and prioritize work accordingly.