July 16, 2026
Job Posting #1228 #hp
Employee and Labour Relations Manager
4-Month Contract – Full Time
The York Region Children’s Aid Society (YRCAS) is a non-profit community organization legally mandated to protect children and youth and to ensure their best interests and well-being. As a leader within the child welfare sector, we partner with parents, caregivers, and community to provide a safe environment for children and youth, through equitable, culturally aligned services.
Comprised of interdisciplinary teams of diverse professionals who push boundaries in support of family centered care, we engage with children and families for a stronger, healthier community within the York Region.
YRCAS is fully committed to a culture of belonging and an inclusive environment that encourages every team member to lead within their role, generate innovative ideas that reinforce our mission and goal to create a healthy workplace and community where children, youth and families thrive.
To support us on our journey, YRCAS is looking for our newly created role of Manager, Employee and Labour Relations to join our senior leadership team to support the strategic vision of strengthening our agency’s organizational well-being and redesign in innovation within the child welfare sector.
We are seeking a visionary leader with a track-record of managing high performing teams in the fields of Human Resources, Employee and Labour Relations, workplace investigation, disability management, attendance management, policy interpretation and Employment Equity. The successful incumbent collaborates closely with operational leaders to promote respectful workplaces ensuring compliance with collective agreements, policies and employment legislation supporting organizational effectiveness; The incumbent’s empowering leadership and mentorship skills will motivate a team to achieve results while also fostering collaboration and inclusivity.
Why Work for Us?
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Hybrid working model (working virtual and in person)
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Casual dress code
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Employer paid Health & Dental Benefit
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One day off every five (5) weeks during Winter months
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Shortened Summer hours
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OMERS Pension, with employer and employee sharing premiums equally
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Mileage Reimbursement
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Enhanced Wellness Initiatives Virtual Fitness Classes
SUMMARY OF DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Reporting to the Director, People and Culture the successful incumbent will assume leadership of an established team of client facing HR professionals with day-to-day management of HR functions within the areas of Talent Acquisition, Labour and Employee Relations, Organizational Change Management, Learning and Development as well as partner with the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team on various projects and initiatives. This visionary leader will partner with the Director of People and Culture to integrate and unify the functions that make up this team, while seeking to sustain innovative ways of working with the agency’s internal departments as well as external stakeholders.
NATURE OF POSITION:
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Manages/resolves complex employee and labour issues following investigation practices based on integrity and objectivity, ensuring appropriate records management and provision of sound advice.
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Conduct investigations involving harassment, discrimination, misconduct, policy violations, grievances and other employee concerns, manage discipline process with professionalism, discretion and sound judgement, and prepare investigation reports.
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Partner with leaders to manage performance, resolve workplace issues and drive engagement
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Provide expert interpretation of collective agreements, policy, practices and legislation, and guides HR staff and clients, ensuring established policies and practices are handled consistently and in a timely manner.
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Support collective bargaining preparation including proposal development, costing, language review, bargaining research and implementation of negotiated changes.
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Manage all stages of the grievance the grievance process, including investigation, responses, mediation, settlement discussions and arbitration preparation and hearing attendance.
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Develop strategies to reduce grievances and improve labour-management relationships
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Provide guidance regarding disability management, workplace accommodations, absence management, return to work plans and leave administration; support complex disability management cases in partnership with YRCAS’s third party service provider.
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Maintain in-depth knowledge of employment legislation, human rights requirements and workplace standards to reduce organizational risk
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Building employee relations processes, playbooks, templates, and disability case management practices.
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Ensures for the effective functioning of various committees supported by the People and Culture Department, including the Health and Safety Committee, Employee Employer Relations Committee, etc.
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Collaborates with the People and Culture Team to assist with effective development and delivery of various learning and development workshops.
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Provides support, mentorship and guidance to an assigned team of HR Professionals within the People and Culture team, ensuring they have the resources and support needed to excel.
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Serves as a trusted advisor, exhibiting the utmost tact, diplomacy and confidentiality at all times, while demonstrating a high degree of professionalism and customer service.
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Partners with key stakeholders to understand agency and departmental goals and recommend new approaches, policies and procedures, and initiatives to affect continual improvements in, and productivity and development of, Human Resources practices and service offerings within the Agency.
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Provides leadership and consulting support in areas of team building, conflict resolution, performance management, labour relations, progressive discipline, talent acquisition, employee and leadership development, abilities management and accommodations, etc.
Collaborates with client leaders for organization design strategy and talent planning to leverage talent and drive results.
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Demonstrated HR experience within a senior HR business partnership capacity with well-developed consulting and relationship management skills, demonstrating a strong client service orientation with exceptional interpersonal and organization skills.
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Proven insight and support for key HR initiatives with a thorough knowledge of specialized HR subject matter and related legislation.
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Efficient problem-solving through “on the spot” thinking.
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Sense of urgency and working with a purpose.
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Strong analytical skills and problem resolution methods, such as mediation, investigation, conflict resolution and team building.
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Exceptional level of verbal, written and presentation skills to communicate with clients and produce appropriate correspondence, reports and material.
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Proven participation in various HR projects such as process improvements, new technology, organization design, policy development, etc.
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Demonstrated ongoing development of reporting staff to ensure effective HR client service and staff growth.
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A sound understanding of specific legislation and regulations governing the practice of human resources, including the Employment Standards Act, the Human Rights Code, the Labour Relations Act, WSIB, Occupational Health and Safety, Employment Insurance, pension legislation relating to OMERS, and the Canadian Pension Plan.
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Demonstrated experience in Microsoft suite products and HR software programs, and experience with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS)
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Bilingualism preferred.
QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience
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Successful completion of a bachelor’s degree in a related field from an accredited educational institution within Human Resources Management and/or Human Services field of study.
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Human Resources Professional Designation (CHRP or CHRL) preferred
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Workplace investigation certification preferred
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Seven (7) years of relevant experience with a generalist focus, including enhanced expertise in employee and labor relations within complex unionized settings, leading interdisciplinary high performing and diverse teams.
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A combination of recent and relevant education and/or experience may be considered.
PAY GRADE: Non-Union Pay Grade 9 ($117,900.95 - $149,654.07)
HOURS OF WORK 33.75 hours per week
Candidates who meet the qualifications are welcome to apply by no later than July 23, 2026, by 11:59pm.
This role is for a new temporary position within the organization.
Internal Applicants: Please apply for this opportunity using your Agency ADP account.
External Applicants: Apply here: yorkcas.org/careers
We appreciate all applications received. All communications will be held in strict and professional confidence. Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. We thank all applicants for their submissions.
Employment at York Region Children’s Aid Society is conditional upon the verification of credentials, a satisfactory vulnerable sector check, and a class “G” driver’s license with daily access to an insured vehicle. York Region Children’s Aid Society works in a hybrid virtual and on-site working environment.
Anti-Oppression/Anti-Racism at York Region Children’s Aid Society
YRCAS is committed to having a workforce that is reflective of the diversity of York Region and strongly encourages application from all qualified individuals, especially those who can provide different perspectives and contribute to a further diversification of ideas.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
York Region Children’s Aid Society is committed to employment equity, diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and fostering equity, diversity and inclusion in recruitment practices is a key aspect of the search process. The current posting is in search of candidates who identified from the following equity seeking groups; women, racialized persons/persons of colour, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, and persons of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. If you are of the aforementioned identities, and feel comfortable making it known, you may choose to self-identify as member of a designated group. Any information directly related to you is kept confidential and used in a safe manner to inform our recruitment process towards being an equal opportunity employer.
Vaccination Policy
York CAS prioritizes the health and safety of their employees and closely follows the Public Health Guidelines and Recommendations. The agency's mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirement as a condition of employment is currently suspended. Should the mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirement be reinstated, all active agency employees will be required to comply with YRCAS’ Mandatory COVID-19 policy (providing proof of COVID-19 vaccination-2 doses required).
Accommodation at YRCAS
We are committed to a selection process and work environment that is inclusive and barrier free. Accommodation will be provided in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code. Applicants that may require accommodation during the selection process are encouraged to notify the Human Resources Department when contacted for an interview.
Human Resources will work together with the hiring committee to arrange reasonable and appropriate accommodation for the selection process, which will enable you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner.
Children at the heart of all that we do!
