Labour and Employment Legal Counsel

Reporting to the Director, Employee Engagement Communications and Labour relations, the Labour & Employment Counsel provides legal advice and consultation services, support, and leadership to Toronto Hydro and its subsidiaries on all matters relating to Labour and Employee Relations. The incumbent also acts as a subject matter expert relating to the interpretation and application of Toronto Hydro’s Collective Agreements, and assists with arbitration and grievance preparation, policy development and implementation, and preparation for contract negotiations.

The incumbent is expected to behave ethically and follow the established code of business conduct, policies and internal control procedures, laws and regulations governing Toronto Hydro.

Toronto Hydro has implemented a mandatory vaccination requirement for all its employees. Proof of full vaccination will be required upon receiving a conditional offer of employment. Toronto Hydro will provide reasonable accommodation to individuals who cannot be vaccinated due to disability or any other ground protected by the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Key Responsibilities

• Provides legal opinions, interpretations, and advice on employee/labour relations matters and legislation (e.g. employee/labour legislation and case law, terminations, Code of Ethics complaints, violence and harassment in the workplace, etc.), based upon expertly prepared legal research.
• Provide expert advice, support, and consultation on a broad range of employee and labour relations matters to management staff.
• Provide expert advice and guidance regarding the administration, interpretation, and application of Toronto Hydro’s collectives agreements, and the handling of complaints and/or grievances for both union and non-union staff.
• Works with internal and external stakeholders and counsel to provide advice, consultation, and recommendations on human rights matters, employee privacy matters, and other civil matters; assists with preparation for litigation related to same.
• Drafts, develops, and reviews Human Resources and Safety policies.
• Perform thorough grievance and complaint investigations; obtain relevant documentation and data by conducting interviews; take the necessary steps to resolve issues.
• Researches, prepares, participates, and follows-up on employee/policy grievances and arbitrations, liaising with external counsel as required; works with internal stakeholders to prepare for and participate in arbitration cases.
• If applicable, act as a subject matter expert regarding employee case management, attendance, disciplines, and terminations.
• Assist with preparation for contract negotiations by conducting research to develop data and recommendations to support negotiations strategies and objectives.
• Liaise with department management and designated union representatives to foster active and constructive communications and working relationships.
• Develop and conduct workshops and engagement sessions on employee/labour relations and related issues to increase leaders’ competency in managing employee/labour relations matters.
• Assist with meetings with union officials for the purpose of dealing with union complaints and grievances, taking appropriate actions to ensure management rights are upheld and preparing letters as required.
• Maintain a thorough awareness of trends in employee and labour relations.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Laws Degree (LL.B) or Juris Doctor (JD) from a recognized Law School.
• Undergraduate degree in Business, HR, or related discipline.
• Member in good standing with the Law Society of Ontario.
• Progressive experience consulting on employee labour relations matters in a unionized environment.
• Masters of Industrial Relations considered an asset.
• CHRP (Certified Human Resources Professional) considered an asset.
• Experience in a unionized environment with a focus on Employee Labour Relations.
• Experience with interpretation of collective agreements, contract administration, and grievance/ arbitration preparation.
• A history of successful, positive, union-management relationships, and demonstration of a cooperative and consultative approach to achieving goals and objectives and resolving issues.
• Expert knowledge in collective agreement interpretation and administration, including preparing for arbitrations and grievances.
• A working knowledge of labour and employment law.
• Ability to work both interdependently and independently; self-motivated.
• Broad working knowledge of all aspects of human resources management.
• Conflict management, negotiation, and mediation skills.
• Problem solving and analytical skills, including information seeking skills, ability to gather and synthesize data, and systems analysis skills.
• Strong relationship and consulting skills; ability to manage complex interpersonal relationships.
• Excellent communication skills (oral, written, presentation, facilitation, and active listening).
• A well-developed business acumen.
• Skill in policy development and interpretation.
• Excellent project and time management skills.

Toronto Hydro has introduced a Hybrid Work Arrangement. This position allows for remote work up to three days per week, based on business needs. Employees will be required to come onsite on those days when they are involved in activities that they or their leader feel are better conducted in person. You are expected to live in Ontario and within reasonable commuting distance of the office.