Together Again Symposium

The gradual return to work plan has officially begun across the nation. Organizations are dealing with the conundrum of when, and how to open the doors to their employees after nearly eighteen months. Though many are eager to get back to the office, many are feeling anxious and unsure of this. A safe return to work plan hinges on the steps the employers take to ensuring employee wellbeing.

With 2022 fast approaching, our experts will help lead you to organize your workplace in order to help you prioritize the health and safety of people, spaces, and stay informed about the latest protocols and legislation before we are all Together Again.

Keynote Session #1:

"The War for Talent & The Great Resignation – Going Beyond the Buzz Words"

Speaker: Natasha Jeshani, CPHR - Career Contacts

Description:

We have yet to enter a post pandemic world and we have already been faced with so many new challenges as organizations look at new ways of recruiting, and retaining talent. As buzz words like war for talent and the great resignation gain popularity, Natasha Jeshani, President and CEO of Career Contacts, will provide her insights into both the internal and external factors that are affecting talent management. Join us for an interactive dialogue to help you attract, hire, and retain top candidates and employees.

Learning Outcomes:

Understand the current landscape from the lens of both internal and external recruitment
What organization need to do to ensure the are attracting talent
What to avoid when working with internal teams
Creating a strategy that will enhance the offers within recruitment and retention
What to expect over the next 6-18 months

Keynote Session #2:

"Post-Pandemic Homework: Legal Update"

Speaker: Cameron Wardell - Mathews, Dinsdale & Clark LLP

Description:

As the pandemic inches ever nearer to its (hopeful) end, employers face the prospect of returning employees to the workplace in a safe manner and in a climate that has seen the imposition of vaccine passports for numerous activities and services. In considering their approach, employers must carefully weigh potential privacy and legitimate human rights issues with the safety of their workforce and expectations of their clients or patrons. If the internet is right about anything (and sometimes it is), the controversy involved in this balancing act is certain to make things complicated.

Topics discussed will include:
- Recent Covid-19 case law
- Human rights issues arising from vaccines and vaccination policies
- Mandatory vs. Voluntary Vaccination Policies
- Other issues arising from the impending (or ongoing) return to work

Learning Outcomes:

Understanding the state of the pandemic and the issues faced in workplaces at this stage of it.
Understanding the differences and goals of vaccination policies and how to implement them.
Understanding accommodations and the use of testing or PPE.
Understanding employer obligations and best practices in the management of workforces working at home.

Keynote Session #3:

"Psychological Safety: Connect, Support, Build Trust"

Speaker: Ruthann Weeks - Harmony In The Workplace

Description:

How do you support your staff and still get all the work done? Can teams connect in an authentic way working remotely? What is the best way to retaining key staff?

As you build out a pandemic return-to-work strategy there is a lot to consider. Balancing demands from staff and leadership, addressing fear and anxiety, all while taking care of yourself is challenging. Embracing psychological safety is the key to healthy and safe work cultures that prosper people, advance business, and build trust.

Learning Outcomes:

Strategies to build connection and support with intention during a global pandemic
Defines psychological safety and clarifies psychological health vs. psychological safety
Identifies 13 psychosocial factors of PS and the primary area of responsibility
Builds empathy and explores bias surrounding employee relations
How to recognize and address signs of mental stress and anxiety in ourselves and others

Natasha Jeshani, CPHR

Natasha Jesani, CPHR is the President and CEO of Career Contacts, which supports organizations with temporary staffing, permanent placements, executive searches and HR Consulting support. She is also the Author of The HR Insider, how to land your dream job, and keep it. As a Global HR and Recruitment Consultant, and Author, her extensive academic, as well as hands-on experience in various areas of management, has provided lasting legacies in HR protocols and policies. Natasha has also curated a number of courses for her clients on DEI, Anti Bullying, Leadership etc. For more details on Natasha and her team, check out their website at www.careercontacts.ca or visit their socials are https://www.linkedin.com/in/natashajeshani/ and @yourcareercontact on Instagram years.

Cameron Wardell

Cameron Wardell is a partner at Mathews, Dinsdale & Clark LLP, where he practices labour and employment law. While focusing on litigation, Cam has assisted employers with a wide range of other matters, including the preparation of employment contracts and employment policies, collective bargaining and dispute resolution before labour, employment, human rights and other administrative tribunals. Cam has appeared before all levels of court in British Columbia, as well as various administrative tribunals and the Federal Court. Cam is one of the editors of CanLii’s new BC Litigation Practice Manual. Cam is also a past Chair of the Canadian Bar Association BC Branch Civil Litigation (Vancouver) Section, as well as the Employment Law Section. Cam’s legal education included a co-op term working in labour law, as well as a term studying at St. Peter’s College in Oxford. After law school, Cam was a judicial law clerk at the Supreme Court of British Columbia in Vancouver.

Ruthann Weeks

Ruthann Weeks is a Cultural Change Strategist and Principal Consultant at Harmony In The Workplace. She is a change agent whose efforts have helped to bring the importance of an abuse-free work environment to the forefront of public awareness. She is a best-selling author and gifted speaker who delivers a powerful message about today’s workplace challenges. Working as a Certified Resource Specialist in the human service sector, Ruthann went on to graduate as a Human Resource Manager. She is a Certified Psychological Safety Advisor and specializes in diversity and inclusion, workplace bullying, sexual harassment, domestic violence and mental health in the workplace.