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Fenestration Manitoba to educate on timely labour issues

It’s a weird time to be an employer. Smoking weed at work may no longer be something you can complain about. Make a bad joke and you might find yourself on the pointy end of a lawsuit. Fenestration Manitoba will provide expert advice on these and other growing labour-relations issues at an industry seminar May 30 at the Norwood Hotel in Winnipeg.

In the age of cannabis legalization, social media and the #metoo movement, what are the rights and responsibilities of employees and employers in the workplace? Join Fenestration Manitoba on May 30 to hear from an expert panel that will provide insight into these issues from a legal, human resource and corporate perspective. Some of the topics to be discussed include:

• How do you distinguish between recreational and medical cannabis use? What are the legalities of drug testing? How do you ensure workplace safety?
• Social media channels and your employees – corporate and personal social media conduct considerations. Benefits of allowing employees to use social media at work.
• Standards of performance and workplace conduct. Pressure on employers to have and promote a respectful work environment in light of #metoo.
• Grievance and disciplinary procedures. Costs, risks and workplace policies.

Speakers

Jim Neirinck, plant manager at JELD-WEN Canada (Winnipeg)

Jim Neirinck is responsible for overall plant general management at JELD-WEN Windows and Doors in Winnipeg, MB. Jim completed his studies in manufacturing engineering – aerospace in the 1980’s and worked in the aerospace industry for 20 years in engineering, project management, and manufacturing operations. He received his Lean Black Belt Certification through the CME / Lean Sensei Institute, and has spent the past 15 years in senior leadership positions driving excellence in Manufacturing, Quality systems, Manufacturing Engineering and Lean Process Implementations within the environmental products industry, whole home cabinetry manufacturing industry, and window and door manufacturing industry. He is an executive with a broad range of experience and strategic leadership within business and manufacturing operations over the past 30 years.

Brad Lutz, president of Acuity HR Solutions
Brad founded Acuity HR in 2012 after spending 10 years leading HR in a manufacturing environment then building the HR function in an organization that was repeatedly recognized as a Best Managed Company and Best Employer in Canada. Brad’s goal in starting Acuity was and is to provide meaningful and effective HR solutions for organizations going through change and who are wanting to successfully take the next step in their evolution. He has over 20 years of HR leadership experience and has led HR in multiple industries and various sizes of organizations.

Scott Hoeppner, lawyer at TDS Law

Scott’s practice is focused primarily on the area of labour and employment law and civil litigation. Scott has provided advice on employment and labour relations matters, terminations, wrongful dismissals, grievance arbitrations and proceedings before labour boards and human rights tribunals.

Scott also conducts workplace investigations, acting as an independent investigator for employers, regarding internal complaints of bullying, harassment or other policy violations.

Scott spent the summer of 2006 as a summer student with Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP. He returned in the spring of 2007 as an Articling Student-at-Law and became an Associate in June 2008.

Adrian Frost, lawyer at TDS Law

Adrian’s practice is focused in the areas of labour, employment and human rights law.

He acts as counsel and provides advice on all aspects of employment and collective bargaining relationships, including employment agreements and employee manuals, terminations and wrongful dismissals.  He frequently represents clients in collective bargaining negotiations, labour board proceedings, grievance arbitrations and human rights proceedings.

In September 2017, Adrian became the President of the Canadian Association of Counsel to Employers (“CACE”), which is the leading management side labour and employment lawyers organization in Canada, consisting of approximately 1,400 members.

Fenestration Manitoba is committed to bringing knowledge, expertise, technology, and excellence to the window and door manufacturing industry in Manitoba.

GO JETS GO!

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