Employee Relations Consultant

For over 50 years, LifeLabs has been Canada's leading provider of laboratory diagnostic information and digital health connectivity systems, enabling patients and healthcare practitioners to diagnose, treat, monitor and prevent disease. We are passionate about empowering healthier Canadians through accessible, accurate, and innovative diagnostic services.

We are committed innovators, operating Canada's first commercial genetics lab, and the country's largest online patient portal, with more than 8 million Canadians receiving their results online. More than 112 million laboratory tests come through LifeLabs' laboratories annually, and our team of more than 6,000 passionate, caring, and diverse professionals works together as one to provide high quality testing and results that Canadians can trust.

We know that behind every lab requisition, sample being tested, or investment in technology is an individual and their family counting on us. At LifeLabs, you can make a meaningful impact on Canadians' lives every day.

Our teams are at the heart of everything we do. We are proud to be recognized as one of Canada's Best Employers, reflecting our deep commitment to our core values of caring, agility, teamwork, and a customer-centered approach. As part of this commitment, LifeLabs prioritizes the ongoing development of our diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) program to better serve the needs of our diverse workforce and the communities we serve. We continue to take steps to challenge ourselves to act with courage and integrity, and to create an environment where people can be their true selves.

These values are not just words on a page, they guide our actions and decisions every day and have come to define our team culture.

Job Title: Human Resources Consultant, Employee and Labour Relations

Reports to: National Director, Employee and Labour Relations

Purpose of the Role

Reporting to the National Director, Employee and Labour Relations, the consultant serves as a trusted advisor to people managers, providing guidance on employee and labour relations matters. This role supports the resolution of workplace issues, ensures compliance with employment legislation, collective agreements and promotes a positive and inclusive work environment. The consultant works collaboratively with HR and business leaders to manage complex employee relations cases and drive organizational effectiveness.

Your responsibilities will include:

Provide advice and guidance to managers on labour and employee relations issues

• Ensure leaders have the support and tools to successfully resolve employee issues (e.g., performance management, absenteeism, HR policy reinforcement, interventions to support positive work environments and culture, conflict resolution and investigations).
• Support the handling of employee and labour relations issues, including grievances.
• Participate in the implementation of organizational change initiatives and cross-functional teams.
• Implement process improvement techniques to ensure efficiency, quality and productivity with continuous feedback loops across the HR operating model.

Plan, Lead and Support HR Investigations

• Conduct and manage investigations of HR-related complaints and concerns, assessing the severity, involving appropriate individuals and facilitating appropriate action.
• Gather facts and evidence to complete a thorough investigation by researching records and other relevant files, gathering and preserving documentary evidence and obtaining witness statements.
• Identify witnesses, plan interviews and conduct interviews of witnesses.
• Collect and objectively analyze all evidence.
• Write complete and detailed investigative reports that comply with all legal requirements and provide stakeholders with the necessary information to make decisions.
• Consult with the HRBP team and ER/LR COE to discuss areas of risk and potential resolution, and/or to identify trends.
• Plan and deliver effective communication of findings to stakeholders as required and influence positive outcomes.

Metrics and Reporting

• Participate in the development of key metrics and performance indicators to measure effectiveness of initiatives and programs.
• Develop tracking and reporting for cases to update key stakeholders.
• Analyze insights and analytics to provide recommended changes to programs and policies and partner with ER/LR COE and/or appropriate HR stakeholder on implementation plans.

Develop and deliver resources to support People Leaders and enhance manager skills

• In partnership with the ER/LR COE and HRBP teams identify needs for awareness, education and training on employee relations topics.
• Partner with the Talent, Leadership and Learning team to design training programs and deliver coaching and training to HR and People Leaders on a range of labour and employee relations programs, initiatives and practices.

What you bring to the role:

• Minimum of 5 years experience as an HR Consultant or similar role in the regions they will support, with experience/familiarity in HR Operations is an asset.
• Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, business administration or related field
• CHRP/CHRL Designation
• Demonstrated strong functional knowledge and experience within Human Resources theories and concepts, and well as employment practices, compliance requirements, laws, and applicable governing regulations.
• Expertise in employee and labour relations in order to identify issues, build programs and appropriately consult leaders and employees.
• Understanding of HR governance, legislation, and regulatory environment in order to identify issues and appropriately consult with managers and employees.
• Communication and influential skills, both oral and written.
• Problem solving skills, ability to determine root cause of complex issues and arrive at sound programs, policies and solutions.
• Critical thinking and independent judgment, project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to work under minimal supervision, with deadlines, and with occasional ambiguous situations.
• Demonstrated ability to build metrics and success measurements and effectively consult/recommend implementation of improvements.

LifeLabs' compensation programs are commensurate based on the role, skill, effort, responsibility and working conditions, irrespective of gender, race, ethnicity, beliefs, age or any other personal characteristics. Pay programs are communicated regularly in an accessible and transparent manner.

LifeLabs is also proud to offer resources, opportunities, as well as a collaborative and supportive environment that enables our team members to thrive.

In addition to a competitive compensation package, LifeLabs provides a comprehensive total rewards program, specific to the job position. Your package may include:

• Employee Group Benefits: Competitive coverage for employees and their families to support their overall health and wellness needs, including Extended Health Care, Dental Care, and Life Insurance.
• Retirement Savings Plan
• Vacation and Wellness Days
• Employee Wellness and Giving Programs: Our award winning mental, physical and financial wellness programs aim to address the comprehensive well-being of our team members, including resources like the Employee & Family Assistance Program, financial planning tools, and employee recognition initiatives.
• Professional development and membership reimbursement, access to preferred rates and discount programs, including WorkPerks, Home and Auto Insurance, Costco Membership, etc., and optional health-related benefits.

In accordance with LifeLabs' Accessibility Policy, and the applicable Accessibility Acts within the provinces we operate in, accommodations are available by request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the recruitment and selection process. For a confidential inquiry or to request an accommodation, please contact your recruiter or email

Vaccinations are highly encouraged at LifeLabs'. Vaccinations and/or immunization screening may be mandatory for selected employees if regulated by provincial or regional governments, or through employer-led vaccination policies in the facilities we service. Please ensure you ask if this position requires the successful candidate to be vaccinated or undergo immunization screening.

Ready to empower healthier Canadians? Apply today