The Dufresne Group is currently seeking an Employee Relations Business Partner(ERBP) to join our HR Team. This role will be based in Mississauga, ON.
The Employee Relations Business Partner is a strategic and hands-on role that provides expertise and guidance on all matters related to employee relations, labour relations, and workplace culture. This position plays a critical role in fostering a fair, respectful, and legally compliant work environment through proactive consultation, investigation management, policy development, and partnership with operational leaders.
The ERBP champions corporate HR strategies and initiatives with client groups while ensuring alignment with TDG policies and compliance with applicable legislation. In addition to supporting leaders on employee and labour relations matters, the ERBP will provide general guidance in other areas of Human Resources, leveraging the support and, at times, direct engagement of other specialized HR functions.
The ERBP supports both unionized and non-unionized environments, advising on performance management, conflict resolution, grievance handling, collective agreement interpretation, and progressive discipline while ensuring alignment with organizational goals and values.
The Dufresne Group/Ashley Canada is committed to investing in our team members; we offer:
- Comprehensive benefits plan, educational assistance program and excellent employee discounts;
- Employer Sponsored Retirement Savings Plan;
- Career growth and continuous development;
- Respectful and family-oriented working environment with strong company values;
- The opportunity to work at one of Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies.
As an Employee Relations Business Partner, you will:
- Foster team member engagement by managing HR programs, policies, and initiatives that support a high-performance, inclusive culture and enhance the overall team member value proposition.
- Collaborate with leaders to build morale, strengthen work relationships, improve retention, and reduce turnover.
- Provide strategic and day-to-day employee and labour relations support, including policy, CBA interpretation, coaching on performance issues, and conflict resolution.
- Support leadership teams with consistent application of disciplinary actions and policy enforcement.
- Conduct objective and thorough investigations and manage grievance processes, ensuring compliance with collective agreements and legal standards.
- Analyze ER data and trends to identify and mitigate risks, recommend proactive strategies, and report findings to senior leadership.
- Maintain strong working knowledge of employment legislation to mitigate risk and ensure compliance across all HR practices.
- Foster productive relationships with union representatives and facilitate open communication channels.
- Partner with HR programs such as Disability Management, Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB, WSIB), and HR-related training, including tracking and follow-up.
- Champion workplace health and safety by promoting compliance, overseeing training, responding to concerns, and liaising with regulatory authorities.
- Partner with HR Centres of Excellence (e.g., Talent, L&D, HR Services) to deliver integrated, cross-functional HR solutions.
- Identify and lead continuous improvement initiatives within the HR function to enhance the employee experience and business impact.
- Guide and support leaders through organizational change, acting as a coach and change champion.
- Demonstrate and model the company’s values in all actions and interactions.
- Other duties: this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that may be required, or which may change over time, and which can be changed at any time, with or without notice.
As a successful candidate you will have the following:
- Post-secondary degree in Business or Human Resource Management, with 5+ years Human Resources experience in an advisory or management capacity, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Knowledge of current HR policies & practices including knowledge of employment laws.
- CPHR designation or working towards the designation.
- Excellent computer skills with working knowledge of Microsoft Office products and ability to learn in-house computer programs.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, verbal and written communication and presentation skills are essential.
- Adaptable and ready to work in a fast-paced environment, both independently and as part of a team.
- Must be a self-starter and effective problem solver.
- Ability to travel approximately up to 10% of the year within Canada.
- Criminal Record Check required.
