HR Specialist – Labour Relations

Simaril Supported Living is seeking an experienced and dedicated HR Specialist – Labour Relations & Leaves Management to join our Human Resources team.
In this role, you will play a key part in fostering a fair, respectful, and supportive workplace for all employees. Your focus will be on labour relations, including grievance handling, investigations, and progressive discipline, as well as managing leaves of absence, accommodations, and return-to-work processes.

You will act as a trusted advisor to management and staff, ensuring consistent and compliant practices while promoting a culture of collaboration and accountability.
This position offers an excellent opportunity for a professional who enjoys autonomy and variety — there is plenty of room to bring your ideas forward and truly make an impact.

We are looking for the right fit and are open to considering some flexibility in hours of work or other arrangements to accommodate individual needs.

To be considered for this role, please ensure you follow the steps listed under "How to Apply".

Please note that only the candidates who complete both listed steps will be considered for the position.

Key Responsibilities:

Labour and Employee Relations

• Serve as the primary HR representative in meetings involving disciplinary discussions, written warnings, grievances, investigations, and other union-related matters.
• Provide guidance to supervisors and managers on interpreting and applying the collective agreement, employment standards, and workplace policies.
• Support investigations and prepare related documentation (e.g., summaries, written warnings, grievance responses).
• Collaborate with union representatives and leadership to resolve workplace issues proactively and respectfully.
• Track grievances, arbitrations, and labour relations trends to identify systemic issues and recommend preventive strategies.
• Partner with management teams to review collective agreement changes and deliver training to ensure understanding and alignment.
• Advise on disciplinary matters, including suspensions and terminations, for both unionized and non-unionized employees.
• Participate in collective agreement interpretation and policy alignment.

Leaves, Accommodation, and Return-to-Work

• Administer employee leaves of absence (medical, maternity/parental, WCB, and others) in compliance with legislation and policy.
• Coordinate return-to-work and accommodation plans in collaboration with managers, employees, healthcare providers, and insurance/WCB representatives.
• Maintain accurate and confidential documentation of all medical and accommodation-related cases.
• Ensure consistent, compassionate, and compliant processes that balance operational needs with employee well-being.
• Track and analyze leave-related data to support trend analysis and reporting.

Recruitment and Staffing

• Participate in recruitment activities including reviewing applications, conducting interviews, and supporting hiring decisions.
• Assist with onboarding and orientation of new employees to ensure a smooth transition into the organization.
• Collaborate with hiring managers to ensure recruitment processes align with organizational values, policies, and collective agreement provisions.

Compliance, Policy, and Process Improvement

• Ensure all HR practices comply with employment laws, the collective agreement, and organizational policies.
• Contribute to updating HR policies, procedures, and templates as needed.
• Support HR process improvements and participate in digital optimization projects to streamline documentation and workflows.

Additional HR Support

• Participate in HR initiatives and committees as required.
• Support investigations or other HR projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• Post-graduate diploma or degree in Human Resource Management or related field.
• Minimum 2–3 years of hands-on experience in a unionized environment, including grievance handling, progressive discipline, interpreting collective agreements, and supporting labour relations.
• Experience managing leaves, accommodations, and return-to-work processes.
• Familiarity with recruitment and onboarding processes.
• Strong understanding of employment legislation, collective agreements, and WCB processes.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Proven ability to balance empathy with accountability in employee relations.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to prioritize effectively.
• High level of professionalism, discretion, and integrity.
• Self-starter with sound judgment and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Experience with UKG or other HRIS platforms is a strong asset.
• Experience transitioning from one HRIS to another is a strong asset.
  
• CPHR designation or eligibility preferred.

Hours of Work and Working Conditions:

This is a full-time position, generally scheduled Monday to Friday. Some flexibility may be needed to accommodate organizational priorities. We aim to find the best fit for our team and are willing to consider flexibility in hours or other arrangements to support individual needs.

Benefits
Simaril offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Group Benefits after six (6) months of continuous full-time employment; however, consideration may be given to waiving the waiting period and initiating benefits immediately upon approval.
• RRSP matching up to 6% eligibility after one (1) year of employment.

How to Apply

If you are committed to fostering a fair, respectful, and supportive workplace — and bring the expertise needed to succeed in a dynamic human resources environment — we would love to hear from you. To be considered for this role, please follow these steps:

1. Complete the application form by following this link: and submit your responses.
2. Upload your resume (a cover letter is optional) through the application portal.

Please note that only candidates who complete both steps will be considered for the position.

Why Join Simaril?

At Simaril Supported Living, we are driven by purpose — supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live meaningful, empowered lives. Our HR team plays a vital role in creating a workplace where every employee feels valued, respected, and supported.

We're proud to offer a collaborative environment, opportunities for professional growth, and flexibility in how we work. For the right candidate, there's plenty of room to bring fresh ideas and shape the way we continue to build a positive, people-first culture.

Equal Opportunity Employer:  

Join us, and let's make an impact and difference in our community.