Human Rights in the Workplace

"Into the Future" Human Rights Conference

On December 10, 2008, you can celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the UN Declaration of Human Rights, International Human Rights Day and learn all at the same time by attending the "Into the Future Human Rights Conference" being put on by the Manitoba and Canadian Human Rights Commissions and the Manitoba Association for Rights and Liberties.

Dr. Lloyd Axworthy will be making the keynote address.  In the afternoon, three concurrent sessions will be run covering the following topics:

Session 1 - Indigenous Perspectives: Our nations, our environments, our rights

Session 2 - -The Technology Gap - the impact of technology and the changing environment on people with disabilities

Session 3 – Social and Economic Rights- a woman’s burden

To learn more about these sessions, read the Conference Agenda.

To register, go to the Manitoba Human Rights Commission's website.  Remember that early bird registration ends November 28.

 

 

 

Manitoba Human Rights Commission's education program 2008-2009

The Manitoba Human Rights Commission has just finalized its public education program for 2008-2009.  A broad range of topics, in half-day and full-day formats, will be covered, with the usual focus on the workplace:

• Overview of the Human Rights Code and what it requires of employers
• Reasonable Accommodation
• Harassment
• How to Investigate a Human Rights Complaint
• Recent Developments in Human Rights Law

I'll be making a return engagement again this year, teaching the Accommodation and Investigation courses.  I've included a link below to the brochure which includes details on all of the courses, dates they run and information on how to register.  Happy learning!

Download education_brochure_2008_2009_final.pdf

Upcoming seminar: Employment & Labour Law in Manitoba

For those of you searching for a seminar to attend in the fall that is both informative and practical, please consider joining me and a terrific line-up of my colleagues at the Lorman Education Services "Employment & Labour Law in Manitoba" seminar on October 30, 2008.  Here are some of the things you'll learn about:

• emerging issues in the law of wrongful dismissal;
• how to prevent termination and transform problem employees;
• how employers can avoid human rights issues in their workplaces that can lead to conflict and litigation;
• how to recognize a human rights complaint in your workplace and determine when to initiate an investigation;
• what to expect when the human rights commission comes calling.

Check out the brochure (see link below) for further details and how to register.  I look forward to seeing you there!

Download 351439.pdf

Hone your investigation skills

If you happen to spend any time conducting investigations in your workplace, then you will want to consider attending the Law Society of Manitoba's course on Conducting Impartial Investigations: Essential Skills on January 17, 2008.  It is a course that has been designed for lawyers and non-lawyers alike and I am happy to have been asked to be one of the presenters.  The morning will cover theory work and the afternoon is slated to focus on hands-on practice.  Hope to see you there!

New education programs offered by the Manitoba Human Rights Commission

The Manitoba Human Rights Commission just released its new list of programs for 2007-2008.  You can view the details of the programs and dates being held here. 

I want to extend a thank-you to the Commission for asking me back to teach the course I developed and have been teaching for a few years now -- How to Investigate a Human Rights Complaint -- and for asking me to take on teaching the Reasonable Accommodation in the Workplace workshop.  The courses put on by the Commission are a great value from a cost perspective and most are designed specifically for employers, human resource professionals and union representatives.  Have a look at the course descriptions and consider signing up!