Dave Williams
Attorney at Law
Legal & Operational Risk Specialist
Covid-19 has created an industrial landscape that will continue to pose challenges for both the employer and the employee. There seem not to be a universally acceptable position as to what really constitutes a "safe place of work" today. Some employers believe that a safe place of work means that all employees should be vaccinated, whereas employees are claiming that forcing mandatory vaccination upon them is a fundamental breach of their right to choose.
The debate no doubt would continue. However, what the courts have been saying is that one person's right ought not to override the rights of the majority and that it is not illegal for an employer to impose a policy of mandatory vaccination upon employees, with certain exceptions for health and legitimate religious reasons. In Trinidad and Tobago, our Industrial Court is yet to pronounce on this issue and we wait with bated breath as to how it would articulate on this important industrial relations issue.
The Principles of Employment Law and Industrial Relations programme will assist participants involved in human relations to be better prepared to handle this troubling and other industrial relations issues.
About the Facilitator - Dave Williams
Mr. Dave Arthur Williams is a Legal, Compliance and Operational Risks Consultant with over twenty (20) years' experience in Corporate Security Management; Financial Crimes Investigations; Fraud Prevention and Awareness; Legal and Compliance Management, particularly in the areas of Operational Risks and related fields.
He holds a B.Sc. Degree in Economics from the University of the West Indies; a Bachelor of Laws (Hons.) Degree from the University of London; a Master of Laws Degree (LLM) from the University of London in the area of Corporate and Labour Law; a Master of Laws Degree (LLM) from the University of West Indies in the area of Corporate and Commercial Law.
Mr. Williams is an Attorney-at-Law, having been called to the Bar of Trinidad and Tobago in October 1996. He is a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), as well as a Certified Anti Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS).
Principles of Employment Law & Industrial Relations
Overview
It is important for any organization to ensure that its human relations practices can stand up to the scrutiny of challenges from the government, employees, their representatives, or any other stakeholders. Good Industrial Relations practices add value to organizational performance and contribute positively to employees' morale and economic development. This programme will provide an overview of the principles of Employment law and the practices of good Industrial Relations. References will be made to the relevant labour laws of Trinidad and Tobago and Court judgments; and insights will be provided into some of the approaches that can assist in reducing grievances and other work related issues, thus minimizing time spent on treating with labour disputes.
Outcomes
At the end of this course participants should be able to:
- Understand the basic legal principles governing the employer/employee relationship and what amounts to good industrial relations practices;
- Have an insight into the various labour laws that impact the employment relationship in Trinidad and Tobago;
- Recognize the importance of having an effective disciplinary process that adopts and applies the principles of natural justice;
- Have an insight into what our Industrial Court would expect of the employer and the employee, by examining a number of landmark judgments.
- Be better informed on the procedures to be followed in treating with employment related issues such as absenteeism, misconduct, poor work performance, job abandonment, redundancy and grievances as they arise;
- Be better prepared to meet and treat with workers and their representatives on a range of matters including the collective bargaining process, workplace investigations, and the disciplinary process;
- Have a better understanding of progressive disciplining of employees, from the issuance a warning, to suspension, and ultimate dismissal.
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