We provide practical, proactive advice and assist employers in developing sound business strategies regarding all aspects of labour relations. We also represent employers at arbitration and before the Ontario Labour Relations Board and the Canada Industrial Relations Board.

If the organization is not unionized, we will work with the employer to formulate strategies to remain non-unionized. For employers whose employees are represented by a union, we assist and support them in fostering a productive relationship with the bargaining agent, to the extent possible.

Our labour relations services include:

• Union organizing drives
• Union certification
• Unfair labour practice allegations/complaints
• Termination of bargaining rights
• Statutory freeze
• Collective bargaining
• Bad faith bargaining complaints
• Strikes and lockouts
• Picketing
• Sale of business
• Common/related employer applications
• Grievance arbitration
• Interest arbitration
• Duty of fair representation complaints

We provide strategic advice and assistance on a full range of human resources matters, such as:

• Hiring practices
• Employment agreements
• Employment policies and procedures
• Employment standards rights and obligations
• Changes to terms and conditions of employment
• Workplace investigations
• Workplace restructuring
• Sale of business
• Termination of employment (including constructive dismissal)
• Closure of business
• Restrictive covenants
• Fiduciary obligations

We also represent clients in wrongful dismissal actions, judicial review applications, employment standards complaints and proceedings to enforce restrictive covenants.

We regularly provide proactive advice and assistance to employers to reduce the risks of human rights complaints being filed. In order to be able to proactively deal with potential human rights issues, employers must have the proper policies and procedures in place. We provide day to day advice and assist employers in developing and implementing policies and procedures on matters related to:

• Employment testing
• Background checks
• Absenteeism
• Accommodation
• Alcohol and drug testing
• Non-discrimination in the workplace
• Access to medical information

We also provide advice on all matters related to pay equity compliance and represent and guide clients in all phases of human rights and pay equity proceedings.

We assist employers in understanding and complying with their health and safety obligations. Our services include:

• Developing health and safety policies and procedures
• Developing compliance strategies
• Assessing and minimizing liabilities
• Representing clients in appeals of orders issued by inspectors
• Defending clients charged under health and safety legislation

We develop and provide training programs tailored to our clients’ needs taking into account their values and their policies and procedures. We have provided training on a diverse range of topics, including:

• Workplace discrimination, harassment and bullying
• Workplace violence
• Human rights obligations throughout the employment relationship
• Managing employee relations
• Attendance management
• Accommodation of disability and return to work issues
• Discipline and discharge
• Do’s and don’ts of termination
• Health and safety
• Employment standards obligations
• Employment law 101
• Union certification
• Collective bargaining