ABOUT
The Employment Law Masterclass Vancouver is an unmissable event designed to provide busy HR professionals with a comprehensive program focusing on the latest legal updates and developments affecting employers’ workforce obligations. Covering topics ranging from the remote workforce to ensuring compliance with new health and safety regulations, our line-up of employment law experts will have the answers you need to help you manage your most pressing HR challenges.
With employment law becoming increasingly complex in a more unpredictable working world, organizations must ensure they are aware of best practices and understand how to avoid potential pitfalls as they manage their workforce needs.
This masterclass will answer critical questions such as: What are employers’ responsibilities regarding OH&S and enforcing vaccine mandates? How should workplace investigations be handled? How can employers best update contracts and handle constructive dismissal of employees? How will new legal developments impact your workforce strategy?
Why attend?
Develop a concrete understanding of the constructive dismissal process – and learn about the key risks every employer needs to be aware of
Stay on top of the changing rules and regulations surrounding hybrid workers and their rights
Understand how best to conduct an impartial and effective workplace investigation into bullying, harassment and discrimination
Keep up to date on key occupational health and safety issues
2023 SPEAKERS

Matthew Cooperwilliams
Partner
Cooperwilliams Truman LLP


Carman J. Overholt, K.C.
Managing Partner
Overholt Law LLP


Paul M. Pulver
Partner
Pulver Crawford Munroe LLP


Jennifer Fantini
Partner
Bordner Ladner Gervais LLP


Natalia Tzemis
Lawyer
Harris & Company LLP


Dianne Rideout
Partner
McMillan LLP


Paul D. McLean
Partner
Mathews, Dinsdale & Clark LLP


Aliya Virani
Associate
Ascent Employment Law


Jeff Bastien
Counsel
Dentons Canada LLP


Kai Ying Chieh
Lawyer
Overholt Law LLP


Abigail Owen
Associate
Harris & Company LLP
2023 AGENDA
All times in PT
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Opening remarks
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Case study: A practical overview of legal issues surrounding hybrid workforces
As companies continue to adapt to the rise of hybrid workplaces, employers need to stay on top of legal responsibilities, changing policy requirements, and potential liabilities. This session will provide an overview of best practices for staying ahead of potential legal pitfalls in hybrid workforce management.
- Issues related to working remotely, out of province, or out of country
- Employee repatriation to the office – constructive approaches to encourage the return to the office
- Understanding remote workers’ rights – ensuring safety, security, and privacy
- Will “right to disconnect” legislation come to B.C.?
Aliya Virani
Associate
Ascent Employment Law -
Case study: Employment contracts – Anticipating problem areas for employers
The increasing complexity and pace of change in employment law continues to be a challenge for employers. This session will provide an update on common issues associated with contracts, including enforceability, common employers, and multi-jurisdictional employment.
- Enforceability issues: how to minimize the risk of your contract being found to be unenforceable
- Addressing mitigation income following termination of the contract
- Defining amounts payable and not payable for incentive compensation upon termination
- Best practices for changing terms of employment
Carman J. Overholt, K.C.
Managing Partner
Overholt Law LLPKai Ying Chieh
Lawyer
Overholt Law LLP -
Case study: Vaccine mandates, suspensions, and terminations – Staying on top of new legal developments
With vaccine mandates now clearly established, there are still a number of pending decisions around vaccine refusal and related suspensions and terminations. This session will provide an update on recent decisions in the courts and help you ensure that your business chooses the best course of action and avoids potential unnecessary legal penalties.
- Developing a workplace vaccination policy that is in line with current regulations
- Suspension without pay or termination; choosing the right response for non-compliance
- Assessing legal consequences for cases that are successfully appealed
Matthew Cooperwilliams
Partner
Cooperwilliams Truman LLP -
Networking and coffee break: Q&A ‘Ask the Experts’ breakout
Have a question or comment for our panel of employment law experts? Join this short question and answer session to hear the answers to your most important HR and employment law queries.
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Case study: Accommodation in the workplace – Managing the impact of mental and physical health issues on the business
Increasing long-term health issues, such as Long COVID and stress-related burnout, are having a measurable impact on workplaces. Employers need to balance employee accommodation requirements with the impact on the organization, factoring in reduced productivity or conflict with other staff members caused by stress. This session will look at employers’ legal obligations, and how they can support employees while still meeting the needs of the business.
- Understanding an employer’s duty to accommodate and knowing the limits
- Best practices for managing episodic leave and a review of recent cases and decisions
- How to re-integrate employees on return from extended leaves of absence
- Factoring the Accessibility Act into employee accommodation
Natalia Tzemis
Lawyer
Harris & Company LLPAbigail Owen
Associate
Harris & Company LLP -
Case study: An update on OHS legislation and a review of key WCB cases
Changing health and safety legislation is at the top of many employers’ lists of challenges and concerns. More than ever, employers need to be aware of their changing OHS responsibilities and increasing penalties for non-compliance. This session will help employers stay on top of new OHS legislation and review recent WCB decisions on disability management, accidents, and injuries.
- Knowing your responsibility to report incidents and support investigations
- Following OHS codes to avoid unsafe work refusals
- Understanding your legal obligations to subcontractors
Paul D. McLean
Partner
Mathews, Dinsdale & Clark LLP -
Lunch break
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Case study: Integrating best practices for workplace investigations
Incidences of discrimination, harassment, and bullying have continued to rise post-pandemic, and employers need to ensure that they can deliver a rapid response to incidents. This case study will provide an update on how to handle investigations, and ensure a thorough, impartial approach to dealing with the problem.
- Guidelines for investigating incidents and reports of bullying and harassment among hybrid and in-office workers
- Who should carry out investigations? Should the investigator be in-house or outsourced?
- Best practices for conducting investigations into emails, IM histories, and social media
Jeff Bastien
Counsel
Dentons Canada LLP -
Panel: How to handle challenging constructive dismissal cases in your organization
Constructive dismissals can be a lengthy and difficult process for many organizations, and in some cases, they can drag on for extended periods. This session will look at steps employers can take to better protect themselves throughout the termination process and avoid higher severance payments and potential damages due to legal oversights.
- An overview of recent constructive dismissal cases and decisions
- Strategies for navigating or avoiding drawn out appeal processes
- Guidelines for managing termination of older employees without age discrimination
Moderator
Jennifer Fantini
Partner
Bordner Ladner Gervais LLPPanelists
Dianne Rideout
Partner
McMillan LLPPaul D. McLean
Partner
Mathews, Dinsdale & Clark LLPPaul M. Pulver
Partner
Pulver Crawford Munroe LLP -
Closing remarks
VIRTUAL PLATFORM
What makes this virtual event so innovative?
Using cutting-edge technology to provide a cloud-based virtual forum, this innovative event allows attendees all over the country to connect by signing in from their office, home, mobile phone, tablet or computer.
This virtual destination is the perfect platform for bringing the industry together. Step into the virtual expo to visit booths, arrange one-to-one chats, gain or distribute brand awareness and leverage new connections in a timely and exciting way.
Much like an in-person conference, a virtual conference is an online event that brings together top industry experts and industry peers on a single day. It also enables you to:
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Connect with a wider audience
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Engage with our speakers in a live Q&A
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Connect with industry leaders dedicated through 121 live chats
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Thought-provoking topics
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Build your contact base and easily share details
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Access sessions after the event, On-demand
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Visit booths in the partner lounges area
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Gain critical industry insights
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Accessible web, mobile, live and on demand