Skill Labs
Skill Labs are interactive online noon-hour drop-in workshops available for all members. Each workshop is broadcast in real time and will include a brief presentation on the topic with time for you to practice.
Please come prepared to engage in the workshop and join via a computer or tablet to get the most out of the experience.
Originally designed for stewards, some Skill Lab workshops are components of full-steward courses, while others are standalone workshops.
The Skill Lab workshops are open to all members, can be taken multiple times and are not salary reimbursed.
Difficult Conversations
This workshop is designed for stewards interested in learning about the complexity of communication, how power dynamics can affect communication outcomes, and planning strategies for before, during, and after a difficult conversation. This workshop is a Steward Intermediate level skill lab open to all members.
REGISTER FOR DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS
If you do not see a current opportunity listed, please check back.
Employer Investigations
This workshop reviews the purpose of an employer investigation and the steps that must be taken before, during, and after an investigation meeting. Participants will practise their skills using case studies. This workshop is a Steward Essentials level skill lab open to all members.
REGISTER FOR EMPLOYER INVESTIGATIONS
If you do not see a current opportunity listed, please check back.
Exposure to Illicit Substances at Work
This workshop helps participants develop skills to identify and control risks arising from exposure to illicit substances in health-care settings. Examine the point-of-care risk assessment process and identify the steps you should take when exposure occurs.
This workshop is open to all stewards and members, including student members.
REGISTER FOR EXPOSURE TO ILLICIT SUBSTANCES AT WORK
If you do not see a current opportunity listed, please check back.
How to Read and Interpret a Collective Agreement
This introductory overview provides instruction and practise on easy-to-use tools and resources that make reading and interpreting YOUR collective agreement straight forward. This workshop is a Steward Essentials level skill lab open to all members.
Pre-requisite: Complete the How to Read a Collective Agreement module in the Steward Resource Toolkit
REGISTER FOR HOW TO READ And interpret a COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT
If you do not see a current opportunity listed, please check back.
Know Your Workplace Safety Rights
Do you know your safety rights at work? BCNU is hosting a skill lab on the four occupational health and safety rights protected under the Worker’s Compensation Act including your Right to Know, Right to Participate, Right to Refuse Unsafe Work, Right to No Discrimination. This workshop will orient members to their worker rights and explore how to use these rights to advocate for safer workplaces for members and all health-care workers.
This workshop is open to all stewards and members, including student members. Please note this workshop was previously titled Foundations of Worker Safety: 4 Rights and Reporting.
REGISTER FOR know your workplace safety rights
If you do not see a current opportunity listed, please check back.
Member Advocacy
This workshop provides an overview of critical aspects of BCNU's advocacy work including Human Rights and Equity (HRE), the Licensing, Education, Advocacy, and Practice Program (LEAP), Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), Disability Management (DM), Professional Practice and Advocacy (PPA), and the Professional Responsibility Process (PRP). This workshop is a Steward Intermediate level skill lab open to all members.
If you do not see a current opportunity listed, please check back.
Member Advocacy Panel
This workshop is a panel discussion designed to answer your questions about BCNU's member advocacy. Join representatives from critical aspects of BCNU's advocacy work including Human Rights and Equity (HRE), the Licensing, Education, Advocacy, and Practice Program (LEAP), Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), Disability Management (DM), Professional Practice and Advocacy (PPA), and the Professional Responsibility Process (PRP) for a lively discussion. This workshop is complementary to the Steward Intermediate course and is open to all members.
Recommended: Member Advocacy skill lab (see above)
REGISTER FOR MEMBER ADVOCACY PANEL
If you do not see a current opportunity listed, please check back.
Note Taking
This workshop focuses on steward note-taking training, not formal minute taking. Through activities, discussion, and practise, we will explore how to be a better note-taker. This workshop is a Steward Essentials level skill lab open to all members.
Pre-requisite: Review the How to Take Great Notes video in the Steward Resource Toolkit.
If you do not see a current opportunity listed, please check back.
Note Taking 2: Beyond the Basics
Note taking is a crucial component of a steward's skillset and a bedrock of successful grievance outcomes. This workshop is designed for stewards interested in strengthening this core component of a steward's role by taking their note taking skills to the next level. This workshop is a Steward Intermediate level skill lab open to all members who have reviewed the How to Take Great Notes video in the Steward Resource Toolkit.
REGISTER FOR NOTE TAKING 2: BEYOND THE BASICS
If you do not see a current opportunity listed, please check back.
Preventing Musculoskeletal Injuries
Musculoskeletal injuries (MSIs) are the leading cause of workplace injuries among healthcare workers. This skill lab will cover practical strategies to identify risk factors, recognize early signs, and identify corrective actions to reduce workplace hazards. Empower yourself with tools to create a safer, healthier work environment—because work shouldn’t hurt!
This workshop is open to all stewards and members, including student members.
REGISTER FOR PREVENTING Musculoskeletal INJURIES
If you do not see a current opportunity listed, please check back.
Progressive Discipline
This workshop is essential for members and stewards who want to know more about the progressive discipline process. The workshop will enhance your knowledge about relevant terms, the model used, and explore a landmark arbitration decision on the topic. It is a highly interactive Steward Essential level skill lab and open to all stewards and members, including student members.
To get the most out of this workshop, complete the Progressive Discipline module
REGISTER FOR Progressive discipliNe
If you do not see a current opportunity listed, please check back.
Psychosocial Hazards
This workshop reviews how to identify and address key psychosocial hazards in health-care environments. Participants explore practical strategies for implementing control measures to support mental well-being and a psychologically safe workplace.
This workshop is open to all stewards and members, including student members.
REGISTER FOR PSYCHOSOCIAL HAZARD
If you do not see a current opportunity listed, please check back.
The Right to Refuse Unsafe Work
This workshop dives into the right to refuse unsafe work under OHS legislation. Learn when and how workers can exercise this right, the step-by-step process for resolving refusals, and support safety in health care.
This workshop is open to all stewards and members, including student members.
REGISTER FOR THE RIGHT TO REFUSE UNSAFE WORK
If you do not see a current opportunity listed, please check back.
Union Investigations
Thorough investigations are a critical aspect of due process. This workshop reviews concepts and best practices to ensure successful union investigations. Learn about the principles of due process, why they are important and what you can do to ensure they are followed. This workshop is a Steward Intermediate level skill lab open to all members.
Pre-requisite: Review the Union Investigations & Interviews module in the Steward Resource Toolkit.
REGISTER FOR UNION INVESTIGATIONS
If you do not see a current opportunity listed, please check back.
Union Management Meetings
This workshop introduces Union Management Meetings. Come explore why we have these formal meetings and how to proactively participate as a union representative. There are brief descriptions provided, followed by practice sessions with time for questions at the end. This workshop is a Steward Essentials level skill lab open to all members.
REGISTER FOR UNION MANAGEMENT MEETINGS
If you do not see a current opportunity listed, please check back.
Violence Prevention
Learn how to recognize, prevent, and respond to workplace violence while understanding employers’ legislative obligations to prevent violence and provide post-incident support.
This workshop also includes an overview of violence risk assessments and their application. This workshop is open to all stewards and members, including student members.
REGISTER FOR VIOLENCE PREVENTION
If you do not see a current opportunity listed, please check back.
Your Voice, Your Safety
Reporting health and safety concerns is essential for creating change, yet many hesitate due to fear of retaliation or harassment. This workshop will explore key occupational health and safety rights and how effective hazard and incident reporting strengthens workplace safety.
This workshop is open to all stewards and members, including student members.
Register for Your Voice, Your Safety
If you do not see a current opportunity listed, please check back.
