The Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario is an administrative tribunal responsible for overseeing the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA), the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA), the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) and the Child, Youth and Family Services Act (CYFSA).
We have an exciting opportunity to join our Human Resources Department as the Senior Labour Relations Advisor. This position plays a critical role within the IPC providing advice to executives, directors, and to Human Resources staff regarding labour and employment related issues.
This role is responsible for overseeing and addressing issues arising between the employer, union and employees to produce mutually acceptable resolutions.
If you are a Human Resources professional with highly-developed labour relations expertise, consultation and issues management skills, and have experience working in a fast-paced environment, this career opportunity is for you!
About the job
As a Senior Labour Relations Advisor, you will:1. Provide advice to executives, directors, managers and other Human Resources staff on a broad range of employee relations and labour relations issues, including performance management, discipline, investigations, and staff relations.
2. Recommend strategic actions/approaches and promote effective and consistent application of collective agreement provisions and of employee-relations policies/best practices.
3. Act as an informed first point of contact and provide support and guidance to staff regarding labour relations concerns and inquiries.
4. Serve as a liaison with union steward(s) and maintain regular, open and constructive communication.
5. Provide strategic advice and recommendations to executives on addressing grievances. Provide direction or guidance based on existing jurisprudence, precedent-setting awards, and effective grievance management policies and best practices.
6. Identify and analyze general employee relations issues and trends such as systemic issues and policy/process concerns.
7. Recommend management strategies/positions to foster positive labour relations across the organization.
8. Educate and communicate issues to executives, directors and management, including providing valuable input in the development of policies and training programs.
9. Participate in the implementation of new initiatives, collective agreements, settlements/arbitration awards, contingency planning, etc.
10. Promote effective coordination with appropriate corporate program areas (e.g. Legal Services) regarding the management of corporate employee relations issues in order to facilitate effective client services.
11. Provide expert input and advice on the development and interpretation of employee engagement surveys.
12. Provide expert input and advice in the collective bargaining process and negotiations.
13. Be responsible for promoting a positive employee relations environment and effective employee relations strategies and practices.
14. Be responsible for participating in special corporate initiatives involving employee relations/labour relations, as assigned.
What you bring to the team
You will qualify for this position by demonstrating:
- Education and Experience:
- Post-secondary education in a discipline pertinent to the position combined with relevant professional experience and affiliations, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience supporting and/or participating in collective bargaining, collective agreement implementation and interpretation (as required).
- Experience in managing, coordinating and resolving employee grievances.
- Experience providing advice to senior executives on labor relations and employment related matters.
- Knowledge Requirements:
- Demonstrated knowledge of employee relations including principles, best practices, theories, and trends..
- Demonstrated knowledge of arbitral jurisprudence in both the public and private sectors and related legislation, including the Ontario Labour Relations Act, Employment Standards Act, Ontario Human Rights Code, Crown Employees Collective Bargaining Act, Public Service of Ontario Act..
- Demonstrated knowledge of the collective agreement negotiation process and administration.
- Demonstrated knowledge of the grievance resolution process, including case preparation, arbitration and mediation processes.
- Skills and Abilities:
- Strong conceptual, research, analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Demonstrated ability to provide strategic advice at a senior level, make informed decisions, and manage sensitive and confidential information.
- Combination of strategic thinking with issues management and a service-oriented focus to assist business partners in decision-making.
- Demonstrated ability to anticipate and address labor relations issues proactively,
- Well-developed negotiation and dispute resolution skills to represent clients at boards and tribunals.
- Ability to collaborate with business partners and use superior judgment, business awareness, discretion and political acuity to provide risk-based advice.
- Ability to advise and direct managers on complex issues and promote effective labour relations.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills.
- Proven ability to remain calm under pressure.
Asset Qualifications
- Ability to communicate (orally and in writing) in French is an asset.
What's in it for you?
- A modern organization with a flexible hybrid work model, with in-office attendance at a minimum of 6-10 days per month.
- Commitment to continuous learning and developmental opportunities for all employees.
- Work with an innovative and high performing organization committed to creating a positive organizational culture and highly dedicated to its mission of advancing the privacy and access rights of Ontarians.
- A pension plan, Comprehensive Health Plan, and Life and Disability Insurance.
- Maternity and parental leave top-up benefits.
Commitment to diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and anti-racism:
We are committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and promoting a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace.
We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.
We also believe in the importance of providing services to Ontarians in both official languages, and encourage interested bilingual candidates to apply particularly for public facing positions.Notes:
- OPS and IPC Reciprocal Staffing Agreement:
- The IPC has a Reciprocal Staffing Agreement with the Ontario Public Service (OPS) that enables IPC employees to apply to positions with the OPS.
- Qualified List Information:
- A list of qualified candidates will be established for the Senior Labour Relations Advisor position in the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC) and will be in effect for twelve (12) months from the date the list is created. Qualified candidates on the list may be considered when filling future permanent and/or temporary vacancies in this position.