ABOUT
Get the latest updates on employment law legislation and complex regulatory concerns at the Employment Law Masterclass Alberta – where we’ll be unpacking critical information, evolving employment trends, and what the new normal means for your business.
We’ll be addressing questions like:
- How can employers accommodate workers with mental or physical disabilities while still meeting business goals?
- How can employers identify and respond to incidents of bullying and harassment in the office and in hybrid workplaces?
- How can employers best manage employee privacy and balance it with the needs of the business?
Get the insights you need, from top lawyers who know best – reserve your seat and be part of the conversation.
Why attend?
Learn the steps you can take to manage employee accommodations.
Stay on top of the changing rules and regulations surrounding employee contracts.
Understand your obligations regarding employee privacy both in the office and in remote and hybrid workplaces.
SPEAKERS

Adrian Elmslie
Partner
Dentons Canada LLP


Jill Wilkie
Partner
Miller Thomson


M. Jean Torrens
Partner
MLT Aikins LLP


Lindsey Knibbs
Associate
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP


Jennifer Koschinsky
Senior Counsel
Stikeman Elliott LLP


Ryan Smith
Principal
Neuman Thompson


Teresa Haykowsky, KC
Partner
McLennan Ross LLP


Jackie Laviolette
Partner
Mathews, Dinsdale & Clark LLP


Timothy D. Mitchell, KC
Partner
McLennan Ross LLP


Brian Thiessen, KC
Managing Partner, Calgary
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
AGENDA
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Opening remarks
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Case study: New strategies for handling harassment and bullying in the hybrid workplace
Managing a hybrid workplace can make identifying and responding to bullying and harassment in a timely and effective manner challenging. 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.
- The importance of updating your workplace policies, procedures, and prevention plans
- How to investigate incidents around bullying and harassment
- The nuances of toxic work environments, gaslighting, and their relationships to bullying and harassment
- Ensuring a respectful work environment to minimize stress and burnout
Adrian Elmslie
Partner
Dentons Canada LLP -
Case study: Managing accommodations in the workplace for mental and physical health issues
Whether dealing with chronic mental or physical health issues, and episodic or long-term disability, employers need to be mindful of their duty to accommodate. What types of new accommodation challenges are employers facing, and how should they best respond? What proactive steps do employers need to take to ensure they are properly accommodating employees’ needs to avoid future litigation, while ensuring they are protecting 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
Lindsey Knibbs
Associate
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP -
Case study: An update on hybrid work policies – Protecting your business from potential legal issues
Hybrid work continues to be a major issue for many companies, and the Federal government has recently mandated that remote work be granted on a case-by-case basis. What does this mean for your business, and your company’s hybrid work policy? This session will provide an overview of best practices for meeting all legal obligations associated with a hybrid workforce while still hitting business targets.
- Developing a comprehensive strategy to avoid legal issues related to hybrid workplaces
- When employees refuse to go back – An update on constructive dismissal cases due to failure to return to the office
- When should an employee be permitted to work remotely beyond company policy?
Jennifer Koschinsky
Senior Counsel
Stikeman Elliott 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.
Adrian Elmslie
Partner
Dentons Canada LLPJackie Laviolette
Partner
Mathews, Dinsdale & Clark LLPJill Wilkie
Partner
Miller Thomson -
Case study: Diversity, inclusion, and equality in the workplace – A practical update for HR professionals
DEI is increasingly important, as businesses seek to increase engagement, develop a sense of belonging among employees, and ensure pay equity in line with new federal regulations. This session will look at the rules, regulations, and obligations that employers need to be mindful of when integrating diversity and inclusion policies and protocols in the workplace.
- Update on provincial and federal human rights legislation – what are the typical vulnerabilities for employers?
- How can employers effectively implement DEI programs in a hybrid work environment?
- Ensuring your company’s compliance with the Canadian Pay Equity plan
Jackie Laviolette
Partner
Mathews, Dinsdale & Clark LLP -
Case study: Employee privacy – An overview of employee rights and employer obligations
Workplace privacy is a topic that employers need to focus attention on as incidences of legal action increase, and companies need to be ready to implement updated policies as new legislation is created to protect employee rights. This session will examine this grey area to show how employers can better understand the limits of employee surveillance and balance it with the needs of the business while protecting their workforce.
- Maintaining privacy during workplace investigations to protect the parties involved, while still gathering the necessary information
- Analysing organizational needs and limiting surveillance to necessary and reasonable bounds
- An update on privacy legislation across Canada; when can we expect to see new privacy laws in Alberta?
Ryan Smith
Principal
Neuman Thompson -
Lunch break
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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.
- Overview and update on current provincial and local health and safety guidelines
- Updating onsite health and safety policies and protocols; How to address violations
- Practical issues for ensuring employee health and safety in a hybrid work setting
- Understanding your company’s obligations towards contract workers
Teresa Haykowsky, KC
Partner
McLennan Ross LLP -
Panel: How to handle terminations and layoffs in your organization
Terminations can be a lengthy and difficult process for many organizations and can carry the risk of wrongful termination claims. What can employers do to better protect themselves throughout the termination process? This session will look at steps employers can take to avoid higher severance payments and potential damages due to legal oversights.
- An overview of recent constructive dismissal cases and decisions
- Managing the termination process – adequate notice, severance, and just cause
- Tips for drafting enforceable termination clauses to minimize liability
Moderator
Timothy D. Mitchell, KC
Partner
McLennan Ross LLPPanelists
Jill Wilkie
Partner
Miller ThomsonM. Jean Torrens
Partner
MLT Aikins LLPBrian Thiessen, KC
Managing Partner, Calgary
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt 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
REGISTRATION FOR EMPLOYMENT LAW MASTERCLASS ALBERTA IS OPEN
From tips for managing privacy concerns to practical strategies for reducing your liability, the Employment Law Masterclass Alberta has the insights you need, from the lawyers who know best.