Calendar of Events

You are encouraged to join us for a timely and informative panel discussion on the topic of harassment in the workplace. The members of the panel will be from the law firm of McInnes Cooper. The session will cover a full range of issues related to all types of workplace harassment, including bullying, personal, discriminatory and sexual harassment. McInnes Cooper will address the practical and legal requirements of harassment prevention, including creation and enforcement of employer policies and training. McInnes Cooper will also deal with how to properly handle harassment complaints, including best practices for dealing with the investigative process. Finally, McInnes Cooper will look at post-investigation activities, such as when and how to discipline for harassment and termination for cause based on harassment, the steps to conclude the process and how to deal with reprisals and false complaints.

HRANB Fredericton Chapter is excited to introduce a new forum for HR hot topic discussions. Following January’s regular breakfast session event, members will have the opportunity to share skills and enhance knowledge relevant to the field of Human Resources Management. This event also allows individuals to network with peers and professionals, giving participants the opportunity to meet new members of the HR community. Prior to the event our members will be asked to submit their HR topics that they would like discuss at the event to ldekleva@unb.ca. During this session, members will be split up at tables and provided topics to discuss based on the submissions. Through these discussions, participants will have the opportunity to learn from association members who have dealt with similar challenges or find someone else that is facing similar issues and be able to work collaboratively afterwards to find solutions. Participants will also have the opportunity to transition to other tables to meet and collaborate with all the members that are at the event that day. Please come and enjoy this dynamic opportunity to expand your Human Resources knowledge with your Human Resources peers. This event is FREE but you must register before January 24th in order to attend.

A delicious Buffet Breakfast will be served starting at 7:30 a.m. PLEASE NOTE: This presentation is scheduled to begin at 8:00 a.m. Defining, designing and implementing your company's compensation program can be a daunting responsibility but one that is critical if your company is to remain competitive in this fast-paced global economy and labor market. This seminar will provide a basic understanding of how to design a compensation program that is fair and competitive, while supporting your organization’s compensation strategy. At the end of this session, participants will have the tools required to apply in the workplace. Participants will learn: • How to develop a Compensation Philosophy and Strategy o Linking the philosophy to the overall HR strategy, the corporate mission, etc • Elements of Total Compensation o Base pay, variable pay, equity, incentives, benefits • How to build a base pay structure o Where to begin o Factors influencing base pay structure design • How to maintain a base pay structure o Responding to changes in the environment o Responding to changes in workforce demographics

Social Media - Exploring the legal, trending and engagement side of social media and the use of it in the workplace Tweeting, Flickr, statuses, fan pages, like, YouTube – these are just some of the terms that describe the ever-changing and advancing technology known as social media. Social media, whether it’s Facebook or Twitter or YouTube, are easy-to-use communications tools that are changing the interactions between employees, employers and customers alike. Our panel of experts will explore the emerging legal issues, current trends in utilizing the technology of social media in the workplace, and the effects of social media on organizations. Our experts will be able to provide best practices and where the public and private sector is heading in terms of governance and policies in the ever-changing world of technology.

Why attend? To celebrate our members, network with our peers and best of all - learn how to make martini/cocktails! Although the goal of our informal celebration is to give our valued members an opportunity to socialize and network, we do try to incorporate a learning element to the event. This year we chose the important skill of making cocktails! There will be a portion of the evening dedicated to a learning session called “Magic of Mixology”. The mixology session will be led by a certified mixologist from Martini Club International. Our skills will be put to the test as we learn how to make a number of different cocktails, but don’t worry, it won’t only be theory based – the ‘practical’ portion of the event promises to be an enjoyable challenge. Tasty finger foods will also be provided to satisfy our appetites. There will be a cash bar and taxis will be made available at the Train Station at the cost to the member. Join us as we celebrate all that is good about our profession and our association.

A majority of Canadian organizations rank leadership development as one of the most pressing issues with which they need to deal. That said, the results achieved in a variety, and indeed, majority of sectors are less than spectacular (also shown by the research), because we are ill-equipped to understand the psychology of success and human development. This interactive session will dive into what human resources professionals should know about developing talent and leadership within their organization.

The past year has produced several ground breaking legal cases in various industry settings that all HR Professionals should be aware of. Trish will review several of the cases that have arisen over the past year here in Atlantic Canada as well as in other Provinces. Do you have an employment law question or situation that you are currently in or a topic that you would like discussed during this breakfast session? Please email your employment law topics or questions to ldekleva@unb.ca by October 10th, 2012 in order to have similar cases discussed. Please note that time may not allow for all topics or questions to be answered. Please Join us for a high intensity breakfast session that will provide employer and employee legal perspectives on the most influential employment decisions of 2011/2012. We encourage you to bring your business leaders along. For those of you in unionized environments, why not invite your union leadership!

Prior to our monthly breakfast session, the Fredericton Chapter will be hosting a brief Annual General Meeting starting at 8:00. Various reports will be given, including Financial, PD Events, Mentorship program, Students, CHRP and Marketing updates. A call for nominations will be made for various Director roles.

You Could Save a Life One Day Don Merrell’s poem “I Could Have Saved a Life One Day” speaks of a worker who chose to look the other way, rather than speak out about safety – and the workplace death that resulted from that choice. Occupational health and safety is one of an employer’s most significant legal obligations, and a life or death matter for employees; yet many employers are not sufficiently aware of the scope of their obligations, the impact of failing to meet them, or how to comply with them. Using real life examples, McInnes Cooper Labour & Employment lawyers Lucie LaBoissonniere and Dominique Fontaine will (1) walk you through the employer’s obligations under occupational health and safety law, (2) outline the consequences of violating that law – both legal and business – and (3) offer practical tips that you can apply in your workplace so that you could, one day, save a life.