ABOUT
The Employment Law Masterclass 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. The pandemic has had a lasting impact on the workplace, created new employment law precedents, and placed new expectations on employers to accommodate employees’ mental and physical health needs and adapt to a hybrid working model. This masterclass will answer the critical questions HR leaders need answers to: What are employers’ obligations to accommodate employees’ mental and physical wellbeing, and what rights do hybrid workers have? Will Alberta adopt the right to disconnect and employee monitoring legislation? How can employers identify and respond to incidents of bullying and harassment in the office and virtually? What are the best practices for managing complex just cause dismissals? Join us this October and get the answers you need from the senior legal specialists that know best.
Why attend?
Stay up to date by joining this virtual day-long program from wherever you are to get answers to your most crucial legal questions
Engage with top legal experts and your peers to share insights and ideas on how to tackle workforce challenges
Get the latest updates on workplace accommodation, harassment and bullying, health and safety guidelines, wrongful dismissal claims and more
Discover workforce management strategies to protect your organization from future legal liabilities while ensuring you maintain productivity
2022 SPEAKERS

Tom Ross
Partner
McLennan Ross


Shana Wolch
Partner
McCarthy Tetrault


Cristina Wendel
Partner
Dentons Canada LLP


Wilson Chan
Partner
Mathews Dinsdale & Clark


Bob Graham
Partner
Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer


Gordana Ivanovic
Partner
McMillan LLC


Thomas Duke
Partner
Miller Thomson


Evan Oikawa
Associate Lawyer
Osuji Smith


Jackie Laviolette
Counsel
Mathews Dinsdale & Clark


Jean Torrens
Partner
MLT Aikins LLP


Matthew Warren
Associate
Gowling WLG
2022 AGENDA
All times in MT
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Opening remarks
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Case study: Accommodation in the workplace – Managing episodic leave for mental and physical health issues
Employee wellbeing has suffered multiple setbacks in recent years, including health issues caused by long covid, and mental stress caused by the return to the office. Chronic mental and health issues are increasingly contributing to reduced productivity and resignations. 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 – stress, depression, long-term disability
- Managing the intersecting obligations of employment standards, human rights, and benefits
- Assessing the legal implications of granting episodic leave
- How to accommodate employees on return from extended leaves of absence
Wilson Chan
Partner
Mathews Dinsdale & Clark -
Case study: Developing an effective and compliant performance management strategy
With many employees needing to modify their roles due to accommodations for health or medical reasons, many employers are finding it increasingly challenging to navigate performance issues.
With an increase in the number of cases of long-term leave, and lengthy return to work plans, employers can struggle to balance their obligations to employees, with the needs of the business. This session will look at strategies for proactively addressing performance issues during short-term and long-term absences.
- Understanding employees’ rights regarding performance expectations during and after disability leave
- Documenting performance evaluations, reviews, and disciplinary actions: How does a hybrid workplace impact this?
- Addressing hybrid worker and post-leave performance issues to avoid complex just cause dismissal cases
Evan Oikawa
Associate Lawyer
Osuji Smith -
Case study: Legal issues surrounding hybrid work – A practical overview for HR professionals
Hybrid work arrangements have become the norm for many workplaces; while these arrangements have several benefits for both employees and companies, employers need to stay on top of policy and contract updates, and potential liabilities. This session will provide an overview of best practices for meeting all legal obligations associated with a hybrid workforce.
- Developing a comprehensive strategy to support a hybrid workforce
- Understanding the legal implications of multi-jurisdictional workers
- Employee repatriation to the office – A look at constructive dismissal cases due to failure to return to the workplace
- Understanding remote workers’ rights – are the right to disconnect and employee monitoring legislation coming to Alberta? What does it mean for your business?
Gordana Ivanovic
Partner
McMillan LLC -
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.
Wilson Chan
Partner
Mathews Dinsdale & ClarkJackie Laviolette
Counsel
Mathews Dinsdale & Clark -
Case study: Investigating bullying and harassment, in the office and virtually
With the continuing return to the office, incidences of harassment and bullying continue to be a serious issue. Employers need to ensure that their policies and protocols are up to date, and ready to deal with workplace behaviour issues when they arise. This case study will provide an update on policies, procedures, and prevention plans, and a look at effective workplace investigation strategies.
- How to investigate incidents and reports of bullying and harassment among hybrid and in-office workers
- Understanding how to identify and manage cases of harassment, including virtual harassment
- Best practices for conducting investigations in a hybrid workplace
- Remaining compliant with recent legislative changes while conducting an investigation
Cristina Wendel
Partner
Dentons Canada LLP -
Case study: Updating contracts, compensation, and benefits to remain competitive
The increasing complexity and rapid change of employment law has led to more cases of outdated contracts and courts siding with employees during disputes. This session will provide an update on contracts, compensation, and benefits to help your company avoid costly legal missteps, and ensure that you stay ahead of the curve.
- What do employers need to consider in their contracts for new hires?
- How to incorporate retention strategies within your employee contracts
- How to draft contracts that will mitigate future liabilities
- How can employers amend current employment contracts to bring them up to date?
Bob Graham
Partner
Burnet, Duckworth & PalmerShana Wolch
Partner
McCarthy Tetrault -
Lunch break
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Panel: Navigating just cause and constructive dismissal
Just cause and constructive dismissals can be a lengthy and difficult process for many organizations and can carry the risk of wrongful termination claims if not handled properly. Courts are increasingly deciding in favour of employees when there are contract issues or when employers don’t have clear, up-to-date policies in place. 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.
- An overview of recent case law on just cause and constructive dismissal
- Best practices for drafting enforceable termination clauses to minimize liability
- How has COVID-19 changed the legal landscape? What will be the lasting implications for constructive dismissals?
Moderator
Jean Torrens
Partner
MLT Aikins LLPPanelists
Thomas Duke
Partner
Miller ThomsonTom Ross
Partner
McLennan Ross -
Case study: Vaccine mandates – Staying on top of new legal developments
With many employees now fully vaccinated, employers’ focus is now shifting to addressing employees who remain unvaccinated. What factors determine how employers should respond if employees refuse vaccines? How should employers assess exemption requests based on religious or medical reasons? This session will provide an update on vaccine mandates and help you ensure that your business is compliant and up to date to avoid potential legal pitfalls.
- A look at recent case decisions on workplace vaccines mandates and new legislative developments – What do they mean for your business?
- Building a constructive dismissal case around non-compliance with company vaccination policy and vaccine
- Ensuring your contracts and COVID policy is up to date to avoid future issues
Matthew Warren
Associate
Gowling WLG -
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 Qu0026A
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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 THE EMPLOYMENT LAW MASTERCLASS ALBERTA 2022
Missed the 2022 event? Register your interest to participate in Employment Law Masterclass Alberta 2023