This course provides school system leaders with a practical applied, HR-focused understanding of labour relations and employment law in Alberta's K-12 context.
Blending real-world scenarios, case law, and collective agreement language, participants will gain the clarity and confidence to lead ethically, legally, and effectively within Alberta's K–12 education system.
This 6-week virtual course gives participants the tools they need to navigate labour relations and employment law and to build practical knowledge they can use immediately.
Course Topics:
- Labour Relations Essentials: Foundations, bargaining strategies, simulations, union relations, grievances
- Employment Law: Discipline, just cause, human rights, accommodation, contracts, termination
- Applied Practice: Real K-12 case studies, defensible HR decisions, integrated labour-law leadership
Starting March 5, 2026, this is a 6-week virtual cohort, with one evening session per week (2.5-3 hours each). Includes approximately 18 hours of instruction, real scenarios, assessment and certificate of completion.
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Session
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Date
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Time
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1
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Thursday March 5, 2026
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5:30-8:30 p.m.
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2
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Thursday March 12, 2026
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5:30-8:30 p.m.
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3
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Thursday March 19, 2026
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5:30-8:30 p.m.
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4
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Thursday March 26, 2026
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5:30-8:30 p.m..
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5
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Thursday April 16, 2026
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5:30-8:30 p.m.
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6
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Friday April 17, 2026
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12:00-3:00 p.m.
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Note: April 2 and 9 were avoided for participant travel considerations.
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Interpret and apply collective agreement language to common workplace scenarios.
- Navigate employee discipline, investigations, documentation, and just-cause considerations.
- Lead or support bargaining using practical HR strategies.
- Apply Alberta Human Rights legislation, including protected grounds and duty to accommodate.
- Identify and mitigate legal and HR risks in day-to-day leadership decisions.
- Integrate labour and employment law concepts with sound people-leadership practices.
This course is designed for School Business Officials, Division leaders, HR leaders and staff, Principals/Assistant Principals, Managers, Directors, anyone preparing for bargaining, grievances, or managing staff issues, emerging leaders seeking foundational labour/employment literacy.
No legal background required.
No legal background required.
Facilitator: Rhonda Aos, MHRM, CPHR, SHRM-SCP, CSBO
Rhonda Aos is an experienced HR leader with over 30 years in the field, including 25 years with Lethbridge School Division, where she currently serves as Director of Human Resources. She supports a division of 12,000+ students through leadership in staffing, labour relations, negotiations, and employee engagement.
Rhonda holds a Master of Human Resource Management from the University of Regina and Bachelor of Management from the University of Lethbridge. She is a Certified Professional in Human Resources through CPHR Alberta and Certified School Business Official (CSBO) designation through Association of School Business Officials of Alberta (ASBOA).
A nominee for Excellence in Teaching at the University of Lethbridge and a 2020 finalist for the Canadian HR Awards' HR Leader of the Year, Rhonda is known for her clear communication, balanced leadership, and strong partnerships across all levels of education. She brings a practical, people-first approach to every aspect of her work.
An experienced university instructor, Rhonda teaches advanced HR courses at the University of Lethbridge and Mount Royal University since 2017. She brings a balanced, people-first perspective rooted in both strategic insight and lived experience.
*Space is limited * Register early*
COURSE FEE: $850.00 + 5% GST