This workshop is designed to equip learners with best practices for handling employee grievances in a unionized environment, demonstrating how disciplined approaches can strengthen grievance management and improve employee relations. It encourages participants to view the grievance process as a valuable communication and management tool. The program covers key topics including the definition of a grievance, investigating employee complaints, the importance of documentation and first steps, managing timelines, conducting thorough research, leveraging artificial intelligence, responding effectively to grievances, setting grievances appropriately, and understanding the arbitration process.
Learning Outcomes:
• Define what constitutes a grievance in a unionized environment
• Conduct effective and defensible investigations into employee complaints
• Apply best practices for documentation to support grievance outcomes
• Understand the importance of the first step in the grievance process
• Manage timelines and procedural requirements effectively
• Conduct appropriate research to support informed decision making
• Use artificial intelligence appropriately to support grievance handling
• Respond to grievances clearly, consistently, and professionally
• Apply strategies for settling grievances effectively
• Understand the key stages of the arbitration process
• Manage each step of the grievance process with confidence
• Identify the key activities required to successfully resolve grievances
• Use tools and resources to improve the speed and quality of grievance handling
• Explain how effective grievance management contributes to a workplace culture of accountability and engagement
Who should attend this program?
HR and LR management at all levels (coordinators, Generalists, Specialists, Managers, Directors, VPs)
Registration Difficulties/Questions: Please reach out to the Professional Development team at Professionaldevelopment@hrpa.ca
Speaker(s)
Hugh Secord, B.A., M.B.A., CHRP, SHRP
Chief Strategist
Hugh is an accomplished Labour Relations Professional with over 30 years of experience. He has been the Chief Negotiator in over 130 rounds of bargaining in all ten provinces.
Hugh has helped numerous organizations develop labour relations strategies that have lead to the creation of competitive advantage and shared value. Hugh has worked in the manufacturing, mining, pulp and paper, logistics, power and services industries.
Sue Mackintosh, B.Comm., M.I.R.
Chief Strategist & Managing Director
Sue has 20 plus years experience in senior HR and LR roles. After graduating from Queen’s University with her B. Comm. and Masters of Industrial Relations Sue spent a good part of her career with the George Weston/Loblaw companies in senior HR/LR roles.
She then went on to be a senior leader in Labour Relations with Bruce Power where she improved the relationships with the Building Trade Unions.