Practical legal insights for HR leaders – navigating 2023’s top challenges

February 23, 2023 | Online
#HRDEmploymentLaw
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  • This program has been approved for 3.5 hours of CPD credits through CPHRBC and 3.5 hours CPD credits through CPHRAB and 5.0 hours of CPD credits by the Law Society of British Columbia.

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?

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    Develop a concrete understanding of the constructive dismissal process – and learn about the key risks every employer needs to be aware of

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    Stay on top of the changing rules and regulations surrounding hybrid workers and their rights

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    Understand how best to conduct an impartial and effective workplace investigation into bullying, harassment and discrimination

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    Keep up to date on key occupational health and safety issues

2023 SPEAKERS


Matthew Cooperwilliams
Matthew Cooperwilliams

Partner
Cooperwilliams Truman LLP

Carman J. Overholt, K.C.
Carman J. Overholt, K.C.

Managing Partner
Overholt Law LLP

Paul M. Pulver
Paul M. Pulver

Partner
Pulver Crawford Munroe LLP

Jennifer Fantini
Jennifer Fantini

Partner
Bordner Ladner Gervais LLP

Natalia Tzemis
Natalia Tzemis

Lawyer
Harris & Company LLP

Dianne Rideout
Dianne Rideout

Partner
McMillan LLP

Paul D. McLean
Paul D. McLean

Partner
Mathews, Dinsdale & Clark LLP

Aliya Virani
Aliya Virani

Associate
Ascent Employment Law

Jeff Bastien
Jeff Bastien

Counsel
Dentons Canada LLP

Kai Ying Chieh
Kai Ying Chieh

Lawyer
Overholt Law LLP

Abigail Owen
Abigail Owen

Associate
Harris & Company LLP

2023 AGENDA


All times in PT
  • Registration & virtual orientation
  • Opening remarks
  • 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
    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.
    Carman J. Overholt, K.C.

    Managing Partner
    Overholt Law LLP

    Kai Ying Chieh
    Kai 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
    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. 

  • 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
    Natalia Tzemis

    Lawyer
    Harris & Company LLP

    Abigail Owen
    Abigail 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
    Paul D. McLean

    Partner
    Mathews, Dinsdale & Clark LLP

  • Lunch break
  • 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
    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
    Jennifer Fantini

    Partner
    Bordner Ladner Gervais LLP

    Panelists
    Dianne Rideout
    Dianne Rideout

    Partner
    McMillan LLP

    Paul D. McLean
    Paul D. McLean

    Partner
    Mathews, Dinsdale & Clark LLP

    Paul M. Pulver
    Paul M. Pulver

    Partner
    Pulver Crawford Munroe LLP

  • Closing remarks

SPONSORS


Contact us about partnership opportunities

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

Thanks for taking part in Employment Law Masterclass Vancouver 2023

CONTACT US


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