Advisor, Health & Safety

Did you know that VIA Rail is carrying out ambitious projects to modernize its services and infrastructure? From our new ultramodern train fleet to ongoing improvement of our infrastructure, we’re building the future of transportation in Canada. Working for VIA Rail is being a part of a collective effort in sustainable mobility. As a Health and Wellness Advisor, you will play a strategic role in the proactive management of absence, disability, and CNESST/WSIB cases for various employee groups across Canada. You will actively contribute to the development, implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement of programs, practices, and processes related to absence management, return to work, occupational health and safety, and employee well-being. In this role, you will ensure thorough, compassionate, and coordinated case management, working closely with management, union representatives, workers’ compensation boards, insurers, and other relevant stakeholders. Your objective will be to support effective absence management and facilitate a timely, safe, sustainable return to work that meets both employee and organizational needs You will also ensure compliance with applicable legislation, company policies, and the duty to accommodate, while helping to minimize operational impacts, support consistent management practices, and deliver a healthy, safe, and caring employee experience. ResponsibilitiesAbsence Management and Advisory Role

• Proactively manage and coordinate all absence, disability, and CNESST/WSIB cases for various employee groups across Canada, in partnership with managers, union representatives, workers’ compensation boards, and the insurer;
• Act as a key resource for management and union partners on matters related to accommodation, return to work, and practices that promote consistent, rigorous, and compliant case management;
• Assess employees’ functional abilities and guide next steps to support reassignment to temporary duties or suitable positions;
• Coordinate workplace assessments, identify risks, and recommend safe, sustainable, and practical accommodation measures that support employee retention or return to work.

Advisory Support and Manager Coaching

• Provide guidance and advisory support on absence management, disability, CNESST/WSIB cases, occupational health, workplace injuries, and safety-related risks, in order to support informed decision-making, ensure consistent application of practices, and promote proactive case management.

Prevention and Promotion

• Contribute to the development, implementation, promotion, and evaluation of programs, practices, and processes related to proactive absence management, disability, CNESST/WSIB cases, return to work, occupational health, and employee well-being, taking into account the operational realities of diverse employee groups across Canada;
• Act as a liaison with Employee Assistance Program (EAP) providers and other relevant partners to help ensure support services are tailored to the needs of employees and their families, with a focus on overall well-being and prevention.

What We Are Looking For

• University degree in Human Resources, Industrial Relations, Occupational Health, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Specialized training in absence management, disability management, return to work, or occupational health (e.g., NIDMAR or other relevant certification);
• Strong knowledge of applicable legislation related to absence management, disability, occupational health and safety, duty to accommodate, and workplace injuries;
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in absence management, disability management, CNESST/WSIB claims, return to work, or a related role, ideally in a unionized, multi-site environment;
• Excellent ability to manage multiple cases and competing priorities;
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to assess complex situations with rigor and objectivity;
• High level of accuracy in administrative and documentation follow-up;
• Sound professional judgment to recommend appropriate solutions;
• Ability to simplify and communicate complex concepts to managers;
• Strong collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with multiple stakeholders (management, HR, unions, insurers);
• Ability to build and maintain trust-based relationships;
• Team-oriented mindset with a solutions-focused approach;
• Strong sense of urgency and ability to meet deadlines.

At VIA Rail, we are proud to be an employment-equity employer and we strive to form teams that reflect the diversity of Canadian society. We aim to remove barriers to employment accessibility and aspire to provide an inclusive and equitable work environment where everyone is valued, regardless of their identity or differences, to enable them to reach their full potential. If you need assistance in making the recruitment process or the position you are applying for more accessible, please let us know. Alternate arrangements may be offered to individuals who request them at any stage of the recruitment process. All information received in relation to arrangements will be kept confidential. Note that we will only contact those who are selected for an interview. Join our 3,000 other employees in helping provide Canadians with a safe, accessible, environmentally sustainable way to travel!