Halton: 10.18.16 Damage Control: Repairing a Workplace After a Finding of Harassment


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Date and Time

Starts:10/18/2016 8:00 PM

Ends:10/18/2016 9:00 PM

Registration Closes:10/17/2016 4:00 AM

Event Type: Social or Networking Event

1.5 hours Hour(s)

Location:
Oakville Conference Centre 2515 Wyecroft Rd., Oakville Oakville, ON

Price:

Members: Complimentary | Non-Members: $45

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Halton: 10.18.16 Damage Control: Repairing a Workplace After a Finding of Harassment

Description: Repairing a damaged workplace culture can be challenging when negative attitudes and behaviour are deeply ingrained. This session will focus on the steps employers should take to create a positive and respectful workplace when there has been workplace bullying.

Learning Objectives:
• Why bystanders are not innocent
• Recognizing each employee’s role in workplace bullying
• Why firing the bully doesn’t solve the problem
• Effective strategies for workplace change to move the culture forward

About the presenter: Zaheer Lakhani

In 2011, Zaheer joined Bernardi Human Resource Law LLP and devotes his practice exclusively to human resource law with an emphasis on litigation and work place investigations.
He has appeared as a guest on CBC radio to discuss Toxic Workplaces and was recently quoted by the Canadian Safety Reporter in a story related to workplace harassment.
Zaheer is an accomplished litigator having appeared in numerous matters before the Ontario Court of Justice and the Ontario Superior Court since his call to the Bar in 1998.
In his former capacity as a child protection lawyer, Zaheer has successfully litigated numerous motions, trials and appeals regarding the physical, mental and sexual abuse of children. As a litigator, Zaheer is able to handle matters involving extreme sensitivity given his background in child welfare law.
Zaheer is trained in recognizing oppressive behavior and mindful of issues of diversity. He has spoken on these issues for community organizations including the South Asian Legal Clinic of Ontario and he has participated as a guest speaker on behalf of The Law Society of Upper Canada. His paper “An Employer’s Obligations with Regard to a Diverse Workforce” was published in Carswell’s Employment Law Report. Zaheer speaks frequently for the Human Resource Professionals Association and is also a member and frequent guest speaker for the Peel Law Association.

Speaker bio(s)
Zaheer Lakhani, Bernardi HR Law

Zaheer loves litigation and is very comfortable advocating for his clients in court. However, he also has a strong sense of balancing when it’s appropriate to litigate and when it makes sense to negotiate. He does both extremely well.

Zaheer is fair-minded, personable and engaging and he uses these interpersonal skills effectively in representing all of his clients: both employers and employees. Zaheer helps all of his clients navigate complex and emotionally difficult circumstances in an objective and reasoned manner. Practice areas:
•Wrongful dismissal litigation
•Employment contract litigation including fiduciary duty and non-competition claims
•Workplace training
•Harassment investigations


Accomplishments
Zaheer has successfully litigated numerous motions, trials and appeals and he has had several matters deemed significant enough to be reported in both law reports and the National Post.

He is a highly sought out speaker who injects reality and humour into his presentations. He effectively combines substantive information with stories and audience participation on topics such as:
•Investigating Workplace Harassment Complaints
•Strategies for High Risk Terminations
•Unintentional Racism: Managing a Diverse Workforce
•Myths and Misconceptions About the Employment Standards Act
•Managing Difficult Employees and Termination
•Tightening Up: Employment Contracts that Work

Zaheer is an ongoing presenter at HRPA’s Quarterly Employment Law Update on human rights in the workplace. His article, “An Employer’s Obligations with Regard to a Diverse Workforce” was published in Carswell’s Employment Law Report.

Interesting Tidbit
Zaheer was a former varsity squash player and former squash instructor. He now sacrifices his wonky knees in representing a local squash team in the Toronto and District Men’s Squash league and spends time training his young son on being a future squash champion. Zaheer also enjoys being a hockey dad, except when it results in 6:00 a.m. weekend practices; and he cherishes watching the Maple Leafs with his three children.