Problem
Scenario:
You recently accepted a position as a Human Resources Manager at a local, quickly growing manufacturing company. You quickly learned that there are numerous legal and human resource issues that require attention.
First, you learn that most of the employees do not have employment contracts. Or, if there were employment contracts, these are out of date.
Second, a manager came to you with questions about some legal/human resources issues. She isn't aware of the Ontario Employment Standards Act and the rights/standards afforded to employees. She has a few situations that she would appreciated your assistance to solve. One employee, Margaret, is expecting a child. Her partner will be the birth mother in three months. Is Margaret entitled to a leave? If so, explain her rights. Another issue is that the work is quite seasonal impacting the demand for workers. Can the organization vary the hours of work? Will this violate any employment contracts in place? Does the Employment Standards Act address the issue?
Provide advice for for the organization.
Task
Address the first three steps in the Woods Analysis using external and internal resources to support your arguments:
a) Define the problem.
b) Think about the problem: What laws (common law, statute-based) are applicable?
c) Plan a solution: What advice would you provide the manager? Apply the knowledge (laws, etc).
As a component of the advice your opinion on these specific issues raised to you in your role as Human Resources Manager, using external and internal resources to support your arguments.