- Do we need a lawyer to negotiate a collective agreement?
- Labour negotiators do not require a degree. However, a good negotiator does require special communication skills, strong strategic analytical skills and a good sense of timing. Many organizations negotiate collective agreements with their own internal resources. Others obtain assistance from labour negotiators, consultants or labour lawyers. In deciding whether you want assistance, and who you want, remember that first collective agreements are important because they tend to set the tone and direction for the organization’s relationship with the collective bargaining agent. It is important that negotiators prepare for negotiations and develop the appropriate strategies and timing to achieve your objectives. At HRA, we know people are the key to building positive and respectful relationships. Our team of consultants has the experience and confidence to represent your interests while acknowledging the role of unions and establishing business-like communications with union representatives.
- How can HRA improve our turnover rates?
- In today’s competitive job market, there are a variety of reasons why employees move on. Employee dissatisfaction with their jobs results from a range of needs not being met by the employer, i.e. low job satisfaction, unfair reward systems, or simply because competitors are offering better compensation and benefits. However, if you are losing your exceptional employees or where an organization experiences significant turnover in a particular section or department, a review of the front-line management styles and competencies needs to be part of your action plan. HRA will help you identify whether employee needs are not being met, the organizations’ competency requirements, and recommend a suitable course of action.
- How does an organization stay union-free?
- Employees have the right to unionize if they so choose. Often, they make that choice where they feel their concerns go unheard. Many employers have positive and productive relationships with certified bargaining agents. However, if you are not yet unionized and want to retain the ability to deal directly with your employees, it is essential that you ensure that you not only remain competitive with unionized employers, but that you have sound HR policies, address problems in a fair and equitable manner and create a climate based on respect, not rules and obligations. HRA can conduct an HR audit and work with you to promote positive workplace environments that cultivate mutual respect and the flexibility the organization needs to meet its goals.
- Is HRA a head hunting firm?
- No. HRA is not a head hunting firm. HRA will work with you to develop a recruitment profile and only present qualified candidates who apply through a structured and fair job competition process. Our approach will source and evaluate suitable applicants according to your specific needs, roles and process, after which, we will present the best candidates to your selection committee.
- Is www.HRA.ca affiliated with www.hra.on.ca?
- No. Our website, www.hra.ca, is the product of HR Associates Inc., incorporated in Prince Edward Island, Canada, and doing business under the name HRA. We are Atlantic Canada’s leading labour relations and human resources management consulting firm. While we serve clients across Canada, our offices are located in Atlantic Canada: Charlottetown, Halifax, Moncton and St. John’s.
- One of my employees has been acting differently lately, and it is affecting his performance. I think he might have a mental health issue. Does this mean I can’t address his work performance?
- An employer is well within its right to discuss job performance with any employee. However, it is important that the employer ensure that the conversation does not create more problems than it solves. Better yet, if handled well, the conversation can have positive consequences – it is possible! A day-long training module is available that coaches supervisors and managers in how to have this conversation with employees who may be dealing with mental illness.
Both Kathryn Coll and Linda Gaudet are now trained and certified in the delivery of Mental Health Works’ award winning management workshop: Complex Issues Clear Solutions
- Our top performer just asked for a raise. What is fair on the market?
- Accommodating this employee’s request depends on your compensation strategy and market forces. We can help by assessing the current package and comparing it with industry standards, costing-out alternative approaches, and recommending solutions that will suit your particular needs.
- There is an interpersonal conflict in the organization that is destroying the team. We need someone to mediate the issue and determine if there is a way to salvage the relationships.
- HRA has experienced mediators who can help parties in conflict identify and resolve their issues. HRA can help you to identify major issues as they arise and work with you to design the correct approach. We can provide you with on-site management, if required, or assist you from a distance to implement a lasting solution.
- We have a number of new supervisors who need support in developing their leadership and management skills, but we don’t have a big training budget. Does HRA have any options?
- HRA offers customized supervisor and management training to meet your needs and budget. We will work with you to select the appropriate training modules and provide you with experienced facilitators using proven training techniques.
- What can be done to show employees that everyone is receiving fair compensation?
- Maintaining consistency in your compensation policy is important to ensure that your package is fair, equitable and transparent, good enough to reward all of your employees, and competitive. HRA will help you to determine your internal and external equities, and establish an optimum compensation policy as well as stabilize your associated costs. HRA will help you develop an employee communication plan to educate employees about how your company develops and manages compensation strategies.
- What does HRA mean?
- HRA is the name under which HR Associates Inc. does business. Our clients referred to us so often as HRA that we knew that the clients must be right.
- What if my question isn't on this list?
- If you have a question about labour relations management or human resources management, we want to help. There are several ways to contact us:
Call us toll free at 1-888-844-7811
or
Feel free to contact any one of our consultants,
or
Email our head office at information@hra.ca .
We'll do our best to respond to your inquiry in a timely manner.
- Why can't we just 'borrow' HR policies from the web?
- Every organization should have their own set of HR policies. Policies are designed around an organization’s specific needs to provide procedures and solutions that align with your vision, mission and strategic objectives. “Borrowing” a set from the web may not address all the issues that you may face presently or in the future – and may simply mean that you are also borrowing another organization’s problems