Minimizing Absenteeism in the Workplace
Improve Workplace Attendance and Employee Accommodation, and Manage Absenteeism
October 20 and 21, 2009
Optional Workshop: October 22, 2009
OTTAWA, ONTARIO
Seminar Program Agenda - Day One
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
| 7:30 - 8:30 |
Registration and Continental Breakfast |
7:30 - 8:30 |
8:30 - 8:40
Welcome and Opening Remarks from the Co-Chairs
Dan Palayew, Partner, Heenan Blaikie LLP
Sebastien Lorquet, Lawyer, Heenan Blaikie LLP
8:40 - 9:40
Case Study
Attendance Management within the Correctional Bargaining Unit, Ontario Public Service
Lori Aselstine, Director, Employee Relations from the Employee Relations Division, HROntario, Ministry of Government Services
- New Attendance Support and Management Pilot Program
- specific levels and its mechanics; duration of each level
- program and termination for innocent absenteeism
- requirement for an interim report back
- Joint Attendance Strategic Implementation Committee
- reaching absenteeism targets
- monitoring rates of attendance
- health and wellness
- Attendance targets: the collective agreement
| 9:40 - 10:00 |
Networking Break |
9:40 - 10:00 |
10:00 - 11:00
Case Law Update
Recent Decisions and How They Affect Absenteeism
Dan Palayew, Partner, Heenan Blaikie LLP
- New decisions and how they are changing past beliefs
- Lessons to hold on to from recent cases
- Discussion on future cases and where they stand as of now
11:00 - 12:00
Case Study
Promising Practices: Calgary Laboratory Services' Absenteeism Management Program (AMP)
Patricia Trick, Manager, Human Resources, Calgary Laboratory Services
- Overview of the four-stage absenteeism management program (AMP)
- Evolution of the Calgary Laboratory Services AMP
- Lessons learned through cases
| 12:00 - 1:00 |
Luncheon Break |
12:00 - 1:00 |
1:00 - 2:00
Dealing Effectively with Culpable and Non-Culpable Absenteeism
Lynne Poirier, Lawyer, Ogilvy Renault LLP
- Staff awareness: what are the legitimate reasons for employee absence?
- Clearing the ambiguity surrounding undue hardship
- When is it possible to enforce consequences?
- Fairness: a different definition
| 2:00 - 2:15 |
Networking Break |
2:00 - 2:15 |
2:15 - 3:15
Crucial Conversations: Coaching Managers to Deal With Employee Absenteeism More Effectively
- Creating and maintaining an open dialogue with employees
- Initiating the first response promptly and effectively to avoid error and liability
- Identifying and addressing the correct issue to avoid longstanding absenteeism
3:15 - 4:15
Proactive Strategies to Minimize Absenteeism: Employee Engagement and Workplace Wellness Information
Christine Joli-Couer, Consultant and Ergonomic Specialist, Industrial Accident Prevention Association
- Key elements of a successful workplace wellness program
- Developing a prevention strategy
- Combining workplace wellness with employee engagement
- Benefit of a healthy workplace
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