Senior Manager, Workplace Relations and Investigations - USA

Description

Being part of Air Canada is to become part of an iconic Canadian symbol, recently ranked the best Airline in North America. Let your career take flight by joining our diverse and vibrant team at the leading edge of passenger aviation.

Reporting to the Senior Director, Human Rights and Harassment, the Senior Manager, Workplace Relations Investigations, is responsible for the design, direction and execution of workplace investigation and anti-harassment strategies across the US. The Senior Manager champions and promotes the adoption of strategies and corporate initiatives related harassment and discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual violence, and retaliation. This role drives operational excellence by ensuring Air Canada’s alignment with pertinent US state and federal legislation, internal policies and procedures.

Responsibilities:

• Accountable for the strategic direction of the HRHO in the US, including investigations and employment matters involving sexual harassment, discrimination, and retaliation in the workplace.
• Develop a long-term vision and strategy that promotes and supports US culture in the various workplaces, addressing new US legislation requirements, and still maintaining a commitment to the Air Canada brand.
• Identify systemic issues in the US that fall within the scope of the HRHO, and develop and implement strategic corrective actions to promote positive outcomes and mitigate reputational risk to the Company. In doing so, determine where workplace reviews/assessments should be conducted.
• Act as the key resource on evidentiary matters, legal standards, burden of proof, and on the rights and responsibilities for of the employer and employees for issues/investigations concerning discrimination, sexual harassment.
• Work alongside various stakeholders regarding California’s workplace violence prevention requirements. Support, where needed, the Workplace Violence Prevention Plan (WVPP), incident log, training, and record keeping requirements.
• Conduct thorough, impartial, and prompt investigations into complaints raised by employees in the United States. 
• Oversee investigations assigned to external investigators to assure adherence to Air Canada policies and procedural guidelines.
• Ensure that all investigations include a fair, thorough, and prompt resolution.
• Strategize and collaborate with local management, Labour Relations and/or Human Resources, where appropriate, to implement a strategic vision  to address the findings of investigations and develop resolution strategies.
• As a domain expert, continually assess policies and procedures, and identify opportunities for policy  development or changes in the HRHO’s regulation procedures.
• Reviewing, drafting, and revising US HRHO procedural documents as required. 
• Partner with the legal team to prepare strategy and responses to EEOC and other governmental charges and requests, as well as threatened litigation; participate as needed with litigation.
• Lead the design and development of educational strategies and training interventions to further develop the knowledge and skills of the US leadership team in reference to harassment, discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual violence and retaliation.
• Provide outreach and training on matters related to resolving workplace concerns according to HRHO policies, procedures, and processes to various audiences. 
• May work in collaboration with other leadership in development of outreach and other programming materials.
• Promote effective employer and employee relations, in an environment where labour and employment law, regulations and policy are continually evolving.
• Lead best practice initiatives and develop relationships with external stakeholders to  advance Air Canada’s corporate interests.
• Engage with external associations, including but not limited to the Association of Workplace Investigators, as Air Canada’s US HRHO brand ambassador. 
• Promote and foster a harassment-free environment and encourage awareness of the HRHO in the US and its objectives.
• Provide quarterly and annual statistical data to the Executive Branch, and work with the Director, Human Rights and Harassment – Canada, to compile the required information.
• Maintain required documentation within a case management system, including intake, investigative notes, supporting documents and final reports.
• Collaborate with other internal stakeholders (labour relations, local US management, legal, corporate safety/security, HR, etc.) to complete strategic initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in law or legal background (Master’s degree or J.D. is preferred). 
  
• A minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience of conducting investigations in the areas of employment law, Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), and discrimination violations. 
  
• Strong working knowledge of applicable state and federal laws, statues, rules, codes, and regulations. 
  
• Strong grasp of rules of evidence, fact-finding, and analytical/ evidence assessment skills.
  
• String knowledge of interview and investigation methodologies, principles, and practices.
  
• Knowledge of current trends and developments in investigative techniques, and their practical applications.
  
• Ability to synthesize large quantities of information and identify relevant information and facts.
  
• Impeccably detail oriented.
  
• Ability to prepare detailed, clear, and concise reports.
  
• Excellent people skills and written and verbal communication skills; strong client management skills and service oriented.
  
• Ability to prioritize competing demands and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
  
• Ability to work autonomously and be a strong collaborator.
  
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality, high professionalism, and tact in communication.
  
• Interest in and commitment to continuous learning.
  
• Computer literacy (e.g.: M/S Office application, Adobe Acrobat Pro).
  
• Ability to travel throughout the US and to Canada (i.e., Montreal, Quebec), as required.

Assets:

• Certification in workplace investigations or relevant professional credentials. 
• Airline experience or experience working in a large corporation. 
• Fluency in multiple languages.
• Experience working in cross-cultural environments. 
• Knowledge of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) complaint and investigation process.

Conditions of Employment:

• Candidates must be eligible to work in the country of interest, at the time any offer of employment is made and seeking any required work permits/visas or other authorizations which may be required is the sole responsibility of the candidates applying for this position.

Linguistic Requirements

Based on equal qualifications, preference will be given to bilingual candidates.

Diversity and Inclusion

Air Canada is strongly committed to Diversity and Inclusion and aims to create a healthy, accessible and rewarding work environment which highlights employees’ unique contributions to our company’s success.

As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from all to help us build a diverse workforce which reflects the diversity of our customers, and communities, in which we live and serve.

Air Canada thanks all candidates for their interest; however only those selected to continue in the process will be contacted.