Non-Profit Organizations

Non-profit organizations range significantly in their missions and goals, but they face many of the same challenges. The competition for donations is fierce, with funding an ongoing concern. And while most have a contingent of paid staff members, many workers are volunteers who may not have a full appreciation of the legal responsibilities that their organization must abide by.

From our extensive work in this sector, we understand the importance of each organization’s primary mandate—be it religious worship, affecting change through community outreach, or achieving charitable goals. With this in mind, we approach issues with both sensitivity and creativity to achieve a result that will serve the interests of the organization while also respecting the values and interests of the broader community in which the organization operates.

We are also keenly aware of the political and cultural dynamics that are at work, and are ever-mindful of the practical realities of our clients’ operations. We strive to provide advice that is not only helpful, but cost effective.

Clients

Our clients in this industry include:

  • religious organizations
  • charitable foundations
  • non-governmental organizations (NGOs)

Services

We are proactive in our advice and services in helping non-profit employers with a wide range of issues such as:

  • human rights and diversity (including providing training to staff and volunteers to help identify and prevent workplace harassment)
  • employment standards such as hours of work and leaves of absence
  • organizational changes, restructuring, centre closures and consolidation
  • pension, benefits and executive compensation including plan amendments, plan wind-ups, compensation structures and governance
  • workplace safety and insurance
  • general employment law (including advising on employment contracts and attendance management issues)
  • pay equity
  • privacy and anti-spam (CASL) compliance
  • occupational health and safety
  • policy development and strategic analysis

We also represent employers in a variety of forums when a dispute arises. This can range from representation before the courts in wrongful dismissal proceedings to human rights tribunal hearings for both employment-related and service-related complaints.