Accommodation Consultant

Company: CGL
Department: Human Resources
Employment Type: Regular Full-Time
Work Model: Hybrid
Language: English is required, French is an asset.
Additional Information: This/these role(s) is/are currently vacant

We are a leading Canadian financial services co-operative committed to being a catalyst for a sustainable and resilient society and our team is essential to deliver on this strategy.  That’s why we prioritize our people, to ensure we provide a strong culture and development opportunities which enables our team to thrive and to live our purpose.  The best part is that you will work with people that care passionately about you, our clients and our communities.

Our national Human Resources team aspires to enable a culture where our company and its employees excel. We think innovatively and strategically to solve business problems and strive for operational efficiency and simplicity in the employee experience with HR. We take a proactive approach to preparing for the future by creating agile and flexible programs to remain competitive in attracting and retaining top talent.

The Accommodations Consultant is a subject matter expert on workplace accommodations, providing guidance and decision support for employees with disabilities. This role leads accommodation planning, supports leaders through complex cases, and liaises with vendors and professionals to ensure consistent adjudication aligned to organizational policies and legislated requirements.

The Accommodations Consultant explores how the disability or disabling condition affects access and participation in the workplace. The incumbent applies this information, in combination with applicable provincial law, human rights legislation, industry standards, and clinical judgement to design and facilitate individualized accommodation plans that ensure Co-operators is fulfilling its legal duty to accommodate. The Consultant works closely with managers and supervisors to ensure workplace accommodations are implemented and uphold Bonafide occupational requirements.

• Managing a diverse portfolio of workplace accommodation cases related to physical, cognitive, mental health, and neurodivergent needs, guiding each case from initiation through to resolution.
• Conducting functional assessments of work demands, essential duties, and accommodation feasibility to support informed and defensible decision making.
• Developing, implementing, and monitoring individualized accommodation and return to work plans in collaboration with employees, leaders, HR stakeholders, and healthcare providers.
• Evaluating accommodation requests using a structured decision making framework that considers risk, cost, IDEA principles, legal compliance, business impact, precedent, and fairness.
• Guiding leaders through complex and sensitive decisions, including situations where accommodations may be unreasonable, documentation is insufficient, or performance issues intersect with disability.
• Maintaining accurate and confidential documentation while staying current on evolving legislation, case law, and best practices related to workplace accommodation.
• Collecting and analyzing accommodation case data including volumes, duration, types of requests, and outcomes to inform insights, trends, and program effectiveness.
• Contributing to the ongoing enhancement of the Workplace Accommodation Program by supporting improvements to policies, workflows, and decision making tools.

• You have an innovative mindset to improve operational efficiencies and ability to influence change, with a primary focus on client needs.
• You use critical thinking skills to recognize assumptions, evaluate arguments, draw conclusions and proactively propose solutions.
• You have strong communication skills to clearly convey messages and explore diverse points of view.
• You build trusting relationships and provide guidance to support the development of colleagues.

• You have a Bachelor’s degree in social work, rehabilitation sciences, health sciences, or a related field.
• You possess 6 to 9 years of experience in disability management, including workplace accommodation and return to work practices.
• You have strong expertise in Canadian human rights law, duty to accommodate obligations, privacy legislation, and disability related legislation.
• You possess a Certified Return to Work professional designation and or a Certificate in Disability Management, both considered assets.
• You have the ability to interpret complex and sometimes incomplete information and translate it into functional limitations and accommodation solutions.
• You demonstrate deep empathy while maintaining objectivity.
• This position primarily works with majority non-francophone groups, and teams located outside of Québec, and requires proficiency in English. The essential non-French duties are not assignable to adjacent or other team members. 

• You will be subject to a Background check as a condition of employment, in the event you are the successful candidate.
• This role carries significant emotional demands and includes regular exposure to distressed employees, conflict situations, and sensitive information.

• Training and development opportunities to grow your career.
• Flexible work options and paid time off to support your personal and family needs.
• A holistic approach to your well-being, with physical and mental health programs and a supportive workplace culture.
• Paid volunteer days to give back to your community.
• In addition to our competitive salary and incentive programs, eligible employees also benefit from a comprehensive total rewards package including group retirement savings plans, pension and benefits (e.g., health and wellness, dental, disability and life coverage), mental health support and an employee assistance program.

Expected salary/hourly range $72,847 - $121,411

The salary amount for the successful candidate is determined by Co-operators in its discretion and will vary depending on several criteria including but not limited to: local market conditions, geography and relevant job-related factors such as knowledge, skills, qualification, experience and education.

Employees may also have the opportunity to participate in incentive programs and earn additional compensation tied to individual and/or business performance, or other business metrics.

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