Stephanie Afilalo

Advisory services for a safe and successful workplace

Stephanie Afilalo advises employers on all aspects of workplace and employment matters, from risk prevention to the resolution of complex workplace situations. Drawing on experience gained both in-house and in private practice, she understands the realities facing executives, managers and human resources teams. This perspective allows her to provide practical and strategic advice tailored to her clients’ needs, objectives and operational realities.

Stephanie advises clients at every stage of the employment relationship, including workforce and performance management, disciplinary measures, restructurings and terminations. She also assists clients with sensitive and complex workplace matters involving psychological harassment, workplace violence, human rights, accommodation, and absence and disability management. She conducts workplace investigations and advises on conflict prevention and resolution.

Her practice extends to the tools and practices that support sound workplace management, including internal policies and procedures, employment contracts and other employment-related agreements, as well as compliance with employment standards and regulatory requirements. She also provides training to managers and human resources teams.

For six years, Stephanie served as Legal Counsel and subsequently Senior Legal Counsel at Avon Canada Inc., where she acted as a strategic partner to management and human resources.

In this role, she oversaw labour and employment matters, contributed to major restructuring initiatives and advised managers on day-to-day workforce management. She also helped ensure that the organization’s policies and practices complied with applicable requirements, conducted workplace investigations, advised the employer on disciplinary measures, and developed training programs for employees and managers across Canada.

Previously, Stephanie served as Legal Counsel and Director of Labour Relations at the Sir Mortimer B. Davis Jewish General Hospital (CIUSSS West-Central Montreal). In this complex unionized environment, she represented the employer and advised management on labour relations, disciplinary measures, internal investigations, harassment complaints, and disputes involving employees or unions.

Stephanie also worked in private practice at Phillips Friedman Kotler LLP, after beginning her career at Heenan Blaikie LLP.

• Advising executives, managers and human resources teams on strategic labour and employment law matters.
• Advising employers in connection with restructurings, reorganizations and organizational transformations.
• Conducting complex workplace investigations, including matters involving psychological harassment, workplace violence and conflicts between employees.
• Developing, reviewing and implementing policies, procedures and practices designed to ensure legal compliance and mitigate employment-related risks.
• Advising employers on performance management, disciplinary measures and terminations of employment.
• Assisting organizations with accommodation requests, absence management and human rights matters.
• Supporting employers in preventing and resolving workplace disputes.
• Training managers and human resources teams on their obligations and best practices in workforce management.
• Developing tools, policies and processes that support effective, proactive and compliant workforce management.