We are IH: Labour relations specialist strengthens relationships

October 2, 2025

Sharon celebrates Christmas 2024 with her niece, Kyndra Johnson and nephew, Porter Johnson.

Name: Sharon Kriger (she/her/hers)
Job Title: Labour relations specialist
Length of Service: 6 years
Worksite: Kelowna Community Health & Services Centre
Community: North Okanagan
Ancestral Territory: syilx
Favourite Quote / Advice to Live By: "There are three sides to every story: my side, your side and the truth and no one is lying. Memories shared serve each one differently." - Robert Evans

Sharon Kriger is a labour relations specialist with Interior Health (IH) who is inspired by the people around her, and is a proud auntie of two thirds of the Dixie Fried Hep Katz Canadian rockabilly band: an energetic rockabilly trio based in the Okanagan valley in B.C. Canada.

Realizing that she wanted to work with people, Sharon obtained an education in human resources (HR). She worked various contract positions across many provinces and industries to get a breadth of experience and help her be great at her job. One of her proudest career accomplishments was working a one-year contract with STARS (Shock, Trauma, Air Rescue Society) out of Alberta.

In this Story…

Learn more about Sharon’s journey with IH

Explore labour relations Careers@IH

Learn more about Sharon’s journey with IH

A person is sitting behind a band merch table smiling. They are wearing a black graphic tee shirt and have white, blonde hair that is dyed blue on the ends. — Sharon working the merch booth for the Dixie Fried Hep Katz when the band opened for Trooper.

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.

A person is sitting in a chair, with their niece and nephew standing on either side of them. They are dressed in Ukranian dance costumes and are smiling for the photo. — Sharon supporting and celebrating Ukrainian heritage with her niece and nephew, who are dressed in their Ukrainian dance costumes.

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.

I have an amazing team who often consult each other to ensure we are being consistent in our advice and we are led by an amazing manager. I love my job!

-- Sharon Kriger