Senior HR Workplace Investigator E&Lr

City of Toronto•Union, NJ

1d•$105,241 - $160,649•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior HR Workplace Investigator E&Lr conducts objective workplace investigations into alleged misconduct or wrongdoing involving unionized and non-unionized staff across the organization. The role investigates matters including absence abuse, fraud, conflicts of interest, theft, maladministration, harassment, nepotism, cronyism, substance abuse, and unethical behaviour. Investigations involve reviewing files, gathering evidence, conducting on-site interviews, assessing credibility, making factual findings, and determining whether findings constitute breaches of applicable City bylaws, policies, procedures, or legislation. The investigator uses trauma-informed approaches and communication strategies suited to people with diverse abilities and backgrounds, including people who may be distressed, confrontational, or experiencing mental wellness challenges. The position prepares detailed reports, confidential communications, briefings, meeting minutes, and records; provides guidance and subject-matter expertise to staff; and reviews investigation plans and reports to ensure they meet required standards. The role also supports onboarding and development of investigators, collaborates with internal and external partners, testifies in legal proceedings, delivers training, conducts research, and represents the unit on committees and corporate initiatives. The role requires maintaining current knowledge of workplace investigation principles and techniques, collective agreements, City policies and bylaws, legislation, discrimination and harassment, and equity-related barriers. It applies an equity lens, including awareness of anti-Indigenous and anti-Black racism and systemic racism, and handles sensitive information professionally and confidentially. This is a full-time, permanent position, with an additional temporary vacancy for 12 months. It is based at Metro Hall, 55 John Street, Toronto, and works Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week. The salary range is $105,241–$160,649. Two positions are open.

Requirements

Post-secondary education in Industrial Relations, Criminology, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience working in a unionized organization and conducting a variety of workplace investigations, such as collusion, theft, nepotism, fraud, and workplace harassment.
Experience developing investigation plans, writing detailed and comprehensive workplace investigation reports, and communicating investigative findings.
Understanding of systemic barriers in workplace investigations, including anti-Indigenous racism, anti-Black racism, systemic racism, and forms of discrimination and harassment.
Knowledge of trauma-informed approaches to workplace investigations involving people affected by trauma, varying mental wellness needs, emotional distress, or dysregulated behaviour.
Ability to conduct well-reasoned, unbiased research, summarize results, and provide accessible information and data reports supporting investigations, projects, and initiatives.
Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills, including the ability to testify or present evidence in arbitration hearings.
Highly developed interpersonal skills and ability to build productive working relationships with staff at all organizational levels, including Legal and union officials.
Excellent organizational skills and ability to manage complex competing interests and concurrent investigations while maintaining attention to detail and confidentiality.
Ability to exercise sound judgment, integrity, discretion, and political acumen, drawing on an integrated understanding of human resource management, related disciplines, and business processes.
Knowledge of employment and related legislation, including the Ontario Labour Relations Act, Occupational Health and Safety Act, Workers Safety and Insurance Act, Human Rights Code, and Employment Standards Act; equity principles; contractual obligations; and sound human resource practices.
Experience identifying fraud trends and supporting data analytics, open-source searching, and analysis of online information.

Nice To Haves

Active investigative certification in good standing, such as ASIS, PCI, or CFE, or Private Investigation certification.

Responsibilities

Conduct thorough, objective investigations into allegations of misconduct or wrongdoing involving unionized and non-unionized staff.
Review and analyze case files with attention to fact-finding, procedural fairness, timeliness, and detail.
Investigate alleged absence abuse, fraud, conflicts of interest, theft, maladministration, harassment, nepotism, cronyism, substance abuse, unethical behaviour, and other workplace misconduct.
Use trauma-informed approaches and communication strategies when interviewing or working with people who may have experienced trauma, have varying mental wellness needs, or be distressed or emotionally dysregulated.
Conduct on-site interviews and gather evidence at various work locations.
Record and maintain meeting minutes and electronic and hardcopy records.
Assess evidence and credibility, make factual findings, and prepare detailed reports, confidential communications, and briefings.
Determine whether findings amount to breaches of applicable City bylaws, policies, procedures, or legislation.
Guide staff through the investigation process and support effective teamwork, communication, quality standards, and organizational performance.
Provide senior-level subject-matter review of staff investigation plans and reports to ensure they meet IIU standards.
Provide developmental opportunities and onboarding to HR Workplace Investigators E&LR and HR Investigations Representatives.
Collaborate and exchange information with divisions, teams, management, law enforcement agencies, and legal counsel.
Testify and give evidence in legal proceedings, including arbitration, Ontario Human Rights Tribunal hearings, and criminal or civil litigation.
Maintain expert knowledge of relevant collective agreements, City bylaws, policies, practices, legislation, and standard operating procedures.
Keep current on workplace investigation principles, theories, practices, tools, research, and interviewing techniques.
Represent the IIU on task forces, corporate initiatives, and committees.
Deliver education or training on investigation policies, procedures, and best practices.
Support an equitable and inclusive environment and apply an equity lens to investigations, including consideration of anti-Indigenous and anti-Black racism and systemic barriers.
Handle sensitive workplace issues and information responsibly, professionally, and confidentially.
Conduct research in assigned areas, accounting for developments in the field, corporate policies and practices, legislation, and initiatives.