Webinar with Melissa VanderHouwen
This workshop will provide an overview of the legal options available to individuals who experience discrimination in both unionized and non-union workplaces. These options include Human Rights complaints grievance and arbitration, WorkSafe complaints, Labour Board complaints, court proceedings, and criminal proceedings. We will cover what discrimination means in BC, from a legal standpoint, and will discuss which legal options are available or workers in which circumstances. We will also cover the advantages and disadvantages of each option in terms of process and remedy.
Agenda:
- Basic understanding of the legal options available to workers who experience discrimination
Presenter:
Melissa practices in all areas of labour, employment, human rights, and administrative law.
She provides practical advice and cost-effective advocacy to unions regarding a wide variety of labour matters including discipline and discharge, collective agreement interpretation, policy grievances, organizing efforts, and unfair labour practice disputes.
Melissa also provides advice and representation to non-unionized employees on many workplace issues, including wrongful dismissal, contract interpretation, and accommodation disputes. She also provides advice and advocacy for unions and individuals on a variety of Human Rights issues.
Melissa has appeared before the BC Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, the BC Human Rights Tribunal, the Canadian Human Rights Commission, the BC Labour Relations Board, and in federal and provincial grievance arbitrations. She takes a pragmatic approach to client service and values building relationships with her clients to better understand their short and long term goals so that she can obtain the best results possible.
