We are IH: Labour relations specialist strengthens relationships

Sharon started her career at IH in Williams Lake and 100 Mile House as an HR business partner and had an amazing experience with the staff in that area; in fact, if the area were closer to her family, she would still be there. “The staff are resilient, giving and incredibly resourceful - they care so much about their community. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to live there and support them.”

Sharon said there is no typical day in labour relations, and that's part of what makes it exciting and such a great fit for her. Her job is to represent the employer in grievances. She represents the employer at the last step of the process in arbitrations and mediations to ensure that the collective agreement has been followed. If there have been errors in following the collective agreement, she helps attempt to resolve or deny the grievances.

If a grievance goes to arbitration, there are different levels and sometimes she acts as the employer representative and/or sometimes directs work with legal counsel. She is constantly reviewing and assessing risk to ensure as the employer is compliant, fair, consistent and equitable.

Righting wrongs gives Sharon a sense of meaning, purpose and motivation at work.

“Sometimes there's miscommunication that happens that creates challenges that employees, unions and the employer have to work through and overcome - otherwise, the employment relationship suffers,” Sharon says. “My job is to try and help navigate through those landmines.”

Depending on the day, Sharon can be working with managers and the union to resolve grievances, sitting in grievance meetings, researching collective agreements, reviewing new rulings that have come out that could change how an article is applied or updating education sessions. She actively works with managers and business partners to ensure the employer is abiding by the collective agreements. 

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