Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

VANESSA CORONA

Bradford,ON

Summary

Influential Human Resources professional with more than 7 years of operating in retail and facilities management environments that are multi-union in both the private and public sector. Specializing in labour relations involving grievances and arbitration, collective agreement interpretation and application, collective bargaining negotiations and ratifications in addition to employee relations involving dispute resolution, workplace investigations, strategy execution and more. Seeking further exposure to the public sector in a more senior opportunity.

Overview

10
10
years of professional experience

Work History

HUMAN RESOURCES ADVISOR

LCBO
07.2023 - Current
  • Experienced partner providing Employee Relations/Labour Relations consultations to multiple stakeholders across Retail, Corporate and Supply Chain divisions; successfully resolved over 600 cases across a 90% unionized workforce
  • Provides recommendations to business leaders regarding coaching/progressive discipline for wilful misconduct and/or policy violations. Considers any mitigating, aggravating and risk factors as well as past practice decisions resulting in reasonable, fair and consistent decisions. Keeps goal of discipline in mind to improve conduct/behaviour and not viewed as punitive measures, and in turn, achieves satisfactory union relations. Suggests termination for just cause/frustration of contract when appropriate with support from Legal Partners
  • Manages grievances at various stages of the grievance procedure, including Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, Mediation-Arbitration and at the Grievance Settlement Board. Conducts investigations that involve interviews and obtaining objective factual data to provide guidance on Minutes of Settlement or grievance denials. Responsible for drafting accompanying documentation such as grievance meeting & denial letters as well as Minutes of Settlements
  • Leads workplace investigations for allegations of harassment under OHSA, Code of Business Conduct violations, Respectful Workplace Policy violations, ESA complaints, accommodations under AODA, Formal harassment and/or discrimination application filed with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, Sexual Harassment (OHSA and OHRC), Sexual Violence and complex cases (involving multiple parties, multiple grounds or potential risk). Conducts threshold assessments to determine if dispute resolution for matters involving interpersonal conflict or a formal investigation resulting in coaching, disciplinary or termination action should take place. Collaborates with the Workplace Investigation Centre of Expertise when necessary.
  • Provide counsel on the Collective Agreement interpretation and application to business leaders in conjunction with Labour Relations Centre of Expertise (mainly for past practice decisions)
  • Supports with short-term and disability management related to health leave of absences and accommodations. Deals with non-participation and non-support decisions appropriately. Facilitates statutory leaves and accommodations that fall outside of medical status such as family caregiver/family status. Deals with undue hardship, bonafide requirements decisions with support from Legal partners
  • Contributed valuable inputs to revised Progressive Disciplinary Process and Attendance Management Program for dealing with non-culpable absenteeism. Led Labour Relations 101 Training and AMP presentations across divisions
  • Deals with performance management for management/excluded (non-unionized) complement including performance improvement plans, disciplinary matters and termination with or without cause basis
  • Relied upon by peers, management and COEs for complex cases across all divisions
  • Rated exceptional performance for Talent Rating 2025

HUMAN RESOURCES BUSINESS PARTNER (ADVISOR)

DEXTERRA GROUP
12.2022 - 07.2023
  • Reliable confidante to over 90 accounts across Canada. Oversees over 1000 hourly & salaried employees, both unionized and non-unionized
  • Successfully leads negotiation efforts and drafted collective agreement agreed to terms and minutes of settlement for 5 Collective Bargaining Agreements including 1 Province-wide CBA alongside District Manager(s) & Vice President of Operations providing for greater employer flexibility and cost-saving outcomes. Works alongside Labour Relations partner in strategizing negotiation tactics that result in good faith bargaining at the table to avoid conciliation or potential strikes/lockouts
  • Provide guidance to management teams on the correct application of the CBA Articles to minimize number of grievances filed. Orients Unit Managers throughout the grievance process effectively to avoid arbitration & affiliated costs. Attends arbitration when needed.
  • Direct workplace investigations for Bullying & Harassment, Sexual Harassment, Discrimination as well as Workplace Violence policy breaks. Advises management teams on how to lead successful workplace investigations and produces investigation outcome and formal discipline documentation, if required
  • Exercise risk management when dealing with Employee Relations issues such as absenteeism, insubordination, violation/breach of policies and performance. Provides coaching & corrective action advice to management teams. Follows up with formal written warnings as well as termination with cause documentation, if applicable
  • Instruct medical leave & accommodation process to management teams when dealing with non-occupational illnesses/injuries. Works with Health & Safety partner on managing occupational illnesses/injuries, meeting reporting obligations to the Worker’s Compensation Boards and providing modified work offers
  • Conducts mass termination (without cause) due to restructures (shortage of work) or unit closures. Conducts legal reviews with Legal partner to ensure minimum statutory entitlements are fulfilled per provincial legislation and other risk variables are considered to avoid wrongful dismissal claims
  • Deal with Ministry of Labour /Employment Standard Act claims, Service Canada requests, Immigration audits and Human Rights complaints on an as-need basis

MANAGER, PEOPLE EXPERIENCE BUSINESS PARTNER

Regional Stores, Hudson's Bay
05.2022 - 09.2022
  • Trusted advisor to District Managers regarding employee talent development, attrition, retention, and performance management (including progressive discipline for performance/conduct concerns) for General Manager, salaried and hourly population in 30+ stores
  • Help build succession pipeline and bench strength within stores/overall markets
  • Accelerate change; educate leadership team and managers on new processes including self-serve HR platforms and HR case management system
  • Propel new HR policies and programs such as launching Associate Discount Policy, Easy Apply on Indeed and talent tool Axonify
  • Add value with policy development such as dress code policy
  • Carry out investigations for Employee Relations issues; respond to workplace bullying, harassment, discrimination policy violation claims against General Manager level and above from anonymous tip line or escalated employee complaints. Developed action plans/formal performance improvement plans as required
  • Relied upon as a liaison by the Employee Relations, Asset Protection & Legal teams for associate versus associate issues as well as internal theft cases
  • Assist with termination disputes by attending mediation and negotiating settlements in conjunction with Legal and overall business
  • Deal with Employment Standards Act/Ministry of Labour complaints as they arise
  • Develop and maintain current and complete understanding of compliance and all federal and provincial laws for Canada such as the Employment Standards Act, Human Rights Code, Occupational Health & Safety Act, Accessibility for Ontarians for Disabilities Act and provincial equivalents
  • Act as a Company representative for labour relations with union store; successfully ratified new collective bargaining agreement for 2022
  • Assist with store closures including administering toolkit for leaders and answering employee questions and concerns
  • Support with various Diversity, Equity & Inclusion initiatives such as the MINA Project workshop and Discover-Ability Network

GENERALIST, HUMAN RESOURCES BUSINESS PARTNER

Regional Stores, Hudson's Bay Company
02.2021 - 05.2022
  • Point of contact for any HR-related questions such as policies, payroll, benefits, pensions, leaves and more
  • Facilitated focus groups either one-on-one or in small groups to resolve employee complaints and better stores culture
  • Aided with Seasonal Hiring for hourly employees during peak periods; communicated workforce planning, compiled candidate experience/recruitment best practice tools, supplied collateral and other resources. Collaborated closely with Recruitment on best strategies to fill salaried positions
  • Supported leadership team and managers throughout annual talent assessment process
  • Assisted with compliance reporting
  • Worked on incentive projects with Compensation to boost candidacy applications and improve retention
  • Successfully implemented new orientation program rollout for stores, worked with Learning & Development on creating storyboard content
  • Dealt with employment verification/work permit requests
  • Maintained leave of absences in partnership with third-party medical adjudicator, Benefits and stores for paid medical/sick leaves (short-term absence program) and long-term disability. Provided counsel to business on overall process and employees return to work with or without accommodations
  • Guided accommodation requests such as unpaid leave of absences and modified work duties/hours
  • Relied upon as source of knowledge for General Managers when maintaining their associate rosters and employment lifecycle of their store associates
  • Worked closely with Health & Safety & Legal to report any incidents, critical illnesses or near misses as it relates to workplace injuries/illnesses to the Worker's Compensation board
  • Ensured COVID-19 safety protocols are produced and practiced throughout stores. Consistently reviewed with stakeholders to meet Public Health & government guidelines

GENERALIST, HUMAN RESOURCES BUSINESS PARTNER

Corporate, Hudson's Bay Company
10.2019 - 02.2021
  • Managed relationships daily with client groups in Canada & US, ensuring satisfaction. Accomplished through regular touch points to assess needs. Prepared promotion/demotion/transfer/bonus letters, performed compensation evaluations and identified vacancies. Client groups included but were not limited to Office of CEO, Legal, Communications, Real Estate, Finance, Transformation, Marketing and more
  • Executed on Company/HR strategy through carrying out reorganizations. Included legal reviews to alleviate risks, constructing severance paperwork, creating communication plans, delivering message to business and follow through
  • Ensured HR system/reporting accuracy; kept systems accurate and up to date, captured movement on organizational charts/headcount trackers and secured budgets with Finance partner for new roles/ backfills
  • Administered and validated bonus and merit programs
  • Facilitated orientation sessions and successfully onboarded new hire candidates
  • Conducted exit interviews and used feedback to enhance employee experience/Company culture
  • Delivered on filling anywhere between 4-6 vacancies within strict turnaround times of 4 weeks or less; included owning recruitment cycle from start to finish
  • Planned and participated in various HR events and Company events as necessary

COORDINATOR, HUMAN RESOURCES

Corporate & Stores, Hudson's Bay Company
02.2019 - 10.2019
  • Achieved company-wide initiative of transitioning to centralized HR group that supported all cross- banner business units, at both store and corporate-levels. Resolved average of 20 case inquiries daily, all while keeping strict SLA deadlines
  • Managed employee lifecycle through updating employee information, processing promotions/salary increases, transfers, terminations, severance/salary continuance and more. Relied on by team as a source for answers
  • Encouraged collaboration, offer resources, and communicate new processes
  • Helped team through finding efficient ways to streamline processes and offer training sessions for new members
  • Mentored with HR Generalist on weekly basis, assisting with prescreening resumes and scheduling/conducting phone interviews
  • Actively involved in Summer Internship Program and extend support when needed
  • Responsible for Compliance reporting in US in order to ensure that Employment Eligibility Verifications are aligned with DHS records
  • Aided with troubleshooting daily
  • Leveraged multiple HR systems to complete employee life cycle transactions, which included Oracle-based HRIS systems.

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

Bank of Montreal
11.2015 - 02.2019

COORDINATOR/TRAINER, HUMAN RESOURCES

Canada's Wonderland
01.2018 - 03.2018

Education

Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) - Human Resources Management

York University
Toronto, ON
2018

Skills

  • Strong customer service skills; understands and meets needs and problems, while keeping professionalism
  • Drive for success; willing to go above and beyond daily tasks
  • Self-Starter; desire to perform tasks and reach achievements without encouragement from others
  • Intuitive leadership skills; boosts team morale and inspires others around common vision
  • Good judgment; overcomes obstacles by finding best solutions
  • Interpersonal skills; effectively communicates and develops trusting relationships with others
  • Honesty and integrity; recognizes importance of maintaining core values and beliefs
  • Flexible and adaptable; learns quickly and reaches results when dealing with ambiguity
  • Deep Understanding of the the Labour Relations Act, the Human Rights Code, the Employment Standards, and other relevant legislation

Timeline

HUMAN RESOURCES ADVISOR

LCBO
07.2023 - Current

HUMAN RESOURCES BUSINESS PARTNER (ADVISOR)

DEXTERRA GROUP
12.2022 - 07.2023

MANAGER, PEOPLE EXPERIENCE BUSINESS PARTNER

Regional Stores, Hudson's Bay
05.2022 - 09.2022

GENERALIST, HUMAN RESOURCES BUSINESS PARTNER

Regional Stores, Hudson's Bay Company
02.2021 - 05.2022

GENERALIST, HUMAN RESOURCES BUSINESS PARTNER

Corporate, Hudson's Bay Company
10.2019 - 02.2021

COORDINATOR, HUMAN RESOURCES

Corporate & Stores, Hudson's Bay Company
02.2019 - 10.2019

COORDINATOR/TRAINER, HUMAN RESOURCES

Canada's Wonderland
01.2018 - 03.2018

CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE

Bank of Montreal
11.2015 - 02.2019

Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) - Human Resources Management

York University

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