Bio
Tom Ross is a leading practitioner in management-side labour and employment law with over 25 years of experience. Applying sound judgment, proactive strategies, and common sense, Tom has successfully represented employers in a wide range of complex and challenging matters. His continued success has earned him recognition from several leading industry guides as well as the respect of both colleagues and clients.
With a focus on unionized workplaces, Tom advises and represents employers in labour arbitrations, Labour Relations Board applications, and collective bargaining. He conducts workplace investigations and handles wrongful dismissals, human rights and privacy issues, employment standards, and various other labour and employment matters.
His depth of experience covers a range of industries, but he has particular skill and knowledge in the labour and employment matters of the construction industry. He advises employers on corporate structure from a labour relations perspective, particularly in major industrial construction.
Tom advises employers with an eye toward providing them the most efficient avenue to effectively manage their organizations. He assists with the drafting, implementation, and application of executive contracts, employment agreements, non-competition and confidentiality provisions, change of control agreements, drug and alcohol testing programs, harassment policies, and general employment policies and practices.
Tom is a passionate advocate for his clients in litigation. Employers count on Tom for practical advice and assertive representation in a variety of matters before various tribunals and courts, including Court of Appeal of Alberta, Court of King's Bench of Alberta, Federal Court of Canada, Saskatchewan Court of King's Bench, Provincial Court of Alberta, Supreme Court of Canada, provincial and federal Labour Relations Boards and Human Rights Commissions, Employment Standards, Arbitration Boards, and many other administrative tribunals. He has taken numerous prominent cases successfully through arbitration, administrative hearing, trial, and, when necessary, appeal.
Tom understands that circumstances often dictate strategy. He takes the time to get to know his clients, their organizations, and their goals in order to devise solutions that are beneficial from the boardroom to the front lines of the employer. His understanding of the often-urgent nature of his clients’ needs is reflected in his commitment to timely and responsive service.
A prolific author and presenter, Tom has been active in both drafting and advising on labour and employment legislation and government policies. He keeps his clients up to date by presenting at many client seminars on union organizing and certification, human rights and accommodation, employee management, conducting investigations, collective bargaining, labour and employment legislation, privacy, and employment standards. He also frequently fields media inquiries with respect to labour and employment matters.