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Executive Education

Employment Law Essentials

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Need-to-know issues for the modern workplace

Employment law today is no longer just about drafting enforceable employment contracts. It now encompasses issues like employee privacy, workforce inclusivity, remote work, data security, corporate whistle blowing, and more.

This program describes the current Canadian landscape in employment law, with additional glances at human rights law, workers’ compensation and privacy issues at work. It also explores legal developments in emerging “hot button” areas, which continue to accrue as governments adjust to the needs and challenges of the modern workforce. 

Note: labour relations issues and unionized workplaces will be briefly touched on so that participants can recognize areas where a different approach will be needed. 

Upcoming sessions

Stay tuned for future offerings of this program! Please contact us to notify you when it will be offered again. You may also subscribe to our email list for Executive Education program updates and exclusive event invitations.

Managers, executives and human resource professionals from the private, public and non-profit sectors will all benefit from attending. 

Download full program description Download full program description
  • Grow your awareness of federal and provincial legislation that currently regulates the workplace, as well as directions employment law might evolve
  • Appreciate employer and employee obligations under the law
  • Learn the best ways to improve the enforceability of employment contracts and minimize the risk of claims
  • Better shelter your business by increasing your knowledge of strong workplace policies, intellectual property protection, etc.
  • Explore best practices for conducting workplace investigations and terminating employment 
  • Become more familiar with human rights law in tricky “hot button” areas such as discrimination and pay equity
  • Overview of federal and provincial workplace legislation: the Canada Labour Code, the BC Employment Standards Act, etc.
  • Drafting enforceable employment agreements: defining employee status, key contractual terms and conditions, common challenges to enforceability
  • Protecting the employer’s business: workplace policies, intellectual property, protection against unfair competition, restrictive covenants during and after employment termination 
  • Workers’ compensation: employer and employee obligations, harassment complaints and compensation claims 
  • Employment issues arising from the sale of a business: asset and share transactions, termination or transfer of employment relationships, handling pension plans 
  • Conducting proper workplace investigations, whistleblower protection
  • Human rights issues at work: discrimination claims, employment and pay equity, managing complaints
  • Terminating employment: ways the employment relationship can end, notice periods, employer obligations, tort law (wrongful dismissal, intimidation, breach of contract etc.) 
  • Need-to-know HR issues: vicarious liability, off-duty conduct, social media use, employee surveillance and privacy rights

Special features

This program includes small group discussions and case law studies built from real cases. You will leave equipped with concrete skills to address a wide array of issues that may arise at work.

This program will be co-facilitated by at least two of the following partners at Overholt Law LLP. Collectively, they bring a wealth of knowledge on the complex issues facing employers today. 

Overholt

Carman Overholt

Q.C.

Carman has over 35 years of experience working with senior business managers and HR professionals to ensure compliance with labour, employment and human rights legislation, and to develop policies that minimize the risk of litigation. He has appeared on behalf of employers before the BC Supreme Court, BC Human Rights Tribunal, BC Employment Standards Tribunal and the Canadian Industrial Relations Board in a variety of commercial and labour arbitration proceedings. He has also represented employers in collective bargaining.
J. Kwok

Jennifer Kwok

Jennifer has practiced law for over 10 years. Drawing on her past career as a Patrol Constable with the Vancouver Police Department, she frequently conducts workplace investigations into a wide variety of complaints, for organizations of all sizes. She also provides training and advises clients on labour and privacy matters, advocating for a proactive perspective to prevent clients from finding themselves in legal jeopardy.
P. Parsons

Preston Parsons

Preston has practiced law for over 10 years. His practice includes advising both employers and employees on all types of workplace law issues, with a focus on proactive measures to prevent trouble from arising. He also advises and represents a variety of professionals in investigations and disciplinary proceedings. Over the course of his career he has appeared before the BC Supreme Court, BC Court of Appeal, BC Human Rights Tribunal, BC Labour Relations Board and more.

Upcoming sessions

Stay tuned for future offerings of this program! Please contact us to notify you when it will be offered again. You may also subscribe to our email list for Executive Education program updates and exclusive event invitations.

Participating organizations

Success stories

“The program leader was very engaging. He cited real cases that he was involved with or has deep knowledge of, and took the time to break down the court's decisions.”

Tom Ng

Senior Mechanical Project Manager, Kinder Morgan

"I couldn't be happier with this course. It was very informative and captivating. The instructor was amazing and I feel I gained an ample amount of knowledge.”

Rory Burt

WorkSafeBC

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