Franchise systems face a rapidly shifting HR‑compliance landscape — one where heightened scrutiny, new workplace expectations, and increasing administrative demands place franchisees directly on the front lines. In this high‑energy, practical session, our presenters will break down today’s most significant HR compliance pressures and provide guidance on how both franchisors and franchisees can stay ahead of risk while protecting their brand and workforce.
What to Expect:
1. The Franchisee’s HR Compliance Burden: Where the Risks Really Are We’ll begin with a fast‑paced overview of the HR obligations franchisees are expected to meet — policy, job posting and recordkeeping requirements to health and safety, harassment prevention, workplace accommodation, and more. This segment highlights the “high‑risk hotspots” where non‑compliance most often occurs.
2. Avoiding the Most Common Compliance Pitfalls Franchisees often face compliance challenges tied to staffing models, turnover, and operational pressures. We’ll unpack the areas that regulators and employees most frequently scrutinize, offering clear and actionable steps franchisees can take to strengthen compliance without overwhelming their day‑to‑day operations.
3. How Franchisors Can Support Compliance — Without Overstepping Franchisors must balance brand consistency with legal independence. Our presenters will explore how franchisors can develop strong system‑wide HR frameworks, tools, and training that promote compliance while avoiding actions that could increase the risk of being treated as an employer.
Speaker:
Cameron Miller represents, advises, and advocates for employers on an extensive range of labour and employment issues, with a particular focus on: Collective bargaining and agreement administration, Grievance arbitration, Human rights and accommodation, Wrongful and constructive dismissal litigation, Responding to union organizing and applications for certification. Cameron represents both provincially and federally regulated employers. He has experience in proceedings before tribunals, labour boards, arbitrators, adjudicators, and courts including the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Ontario Labour Relations Board, the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, and the Canada Industrial Relations Board.
Rabeena Obaidullah has experience advising clients in various areas of labour and employment law, including employment standards, employment litigation and dispute resolution, disability and accommodation, harassment and discrimination, labour arbitrations, and general day-to-day decision-making. Rabeena regularly drafts employment agreements, termination letters, workplace policies and handbooks.
Prior to joining Littler as an associate, Rabeena articled and summered at Littler. During law school, Rabeena worked as a student caseworker for Legal Aid Ontario and volunteered as a legal representative for REACH Canada, providing support and assistance to people with disabilities.
