Human Resources Services Directorate

The Human Resources Services Directorate (HRSD) contributes to the effective management of human resources within Health Canada, by providing strategic advice and guidance on a wide variety of Human Resources Management issues. This includes working with our partners to develop plans and strategies to recruit, develop and retain employees.

The HRSD is responsible for developing policies, tools and related training to help managers and employees at all levels to achieve their business goals. The Directorate also provides advice and delivers services in such areas as:

• Staffing,
• Classification,
• Organizational design,
• Healthy workplaces,
• Labour relations,
• Conflict resolution,
• Mediation,
• Compensation, and
• Workforce planning including official languages, diversity, continuous learning and recognition of achievements.

Divisions & Offices

The mandate of the HRSD is carried out by the following divisions:

• Classification, Compensation and Systems Division
• Executive Services
• Learning and Development Division
• National Human Resources Services Division
• Office of Workplace Health and Human Resources Modernization
• Planning, Diversity, Recruitment and Retention Division

Classification, Compensation and Systems Division

The Classification, Compensation and Systems Division (CCSD) is responsible for the management and delivery of human resources programs at the national level in the areas of classification and compensation, including:

• Policy development and interpretation,
• Management of delegation of authority,
• Accreditation programs and recourse mechanisms,
• Program monitoring, and the
• Provision of advisory services to Human Resources (HR) service providers and senior management.

The HR Systems Unit of CCSD is responsible for the development and support of HR computer systems which support Health Canada's ability to manage its human resources, including:

• Management of technical maintenance,
• User support,
• Training services, and
• HR data reporting services.

The Division also provides management services to the Directorate, including:

• Business and financial planning and reporting,
• Facilities co-ordination,
• Awards and recognition, and
• Emergency planning.

Executive Services

The Executive Services Unit provides a full range of Human Resources services to Executives and excluded Medicine Group (MD-MOF-4/5) in Health Canada. These services include staffing, classification, and compensation.

Learning and Development Division

The Learning and Development Division is responsible for developing a diverse, multi-skilled empowered workforce and promoting a continuous learning environment in partnership with the Department's managers and employees. This is done through innovative programs and policies in the areas of continuous learning, and career management and development.

Health Canada is committed to human resources development in support of the Department's strategic business goals.

National Human Resources Services Division

The National Human Resources Services Division (NHRSD) provides, through five (5) operational units dedicated to departmental branches and agencies, a full range of Human Resources (HR) Services in:

• Resourcing,
• Classification,
• Compensation (e.g. pay cheques),
• Labour relations, e.g. support in union and/or management consultations and resolution of grievances (first levels), and
• Official Languages Testing.

NHRSD provides, through the Corporate Labour Relations Unit, corporate level labour relations advice and guidance, and conflict resolution services which include the:

• Administration of final level grievances,
• Strike planning,
• Collective bargaining,
• Provision of advice and guidance on harassment prevention and resolution,
• Conflict management,
• Coordination of harassment and discrimination related complaints, and
• Administration of the Conflict of Interest and Post Employment Code for the Department.

NHRSD is also responsible for the competency-based management project under Workplace Health & Human Resources Modernization (WHAHRM).

Office of Workplace Health and Human Resources Modernization

The Office of Workplace Health and Human Resources Modernization (WHAHRM) is responsible for the overall management and administration of the departmental WHAHRM Initiative. This includes the:

• Development of an integrated departmental action plan to enhance workplace health and modernize human resources management, and
• Design and delivery of a long-term strategy to support its implementation.

The Office of WHAHRM works closely with subject matter experts and functional authorities throughout the Department to this end. This Office also conducts research and analyses on workplace health activities. "Best practices" pertaining to departmental workplace health priorities are documented, made available to all Health Canada employees and shared with other government departments.

A key role for the Office is the monitoring and evaluation of the activities undertaken to implement the WHAHRM Action Plan as part of the performance measurement framework for the WHAHRM Initiative. In addition, the Office of WHAHRM:

• Plans, coordinates and facilitates implementation of all Human Resource Modernization Initiatives including Public Service Modernization Act (PSMA) implementation,
• Pplays a key role in communications planning for the Human Resources Services Directorate (HRSD), and
• Coordinates all special projects relating to HRSD.

Planning, Diversity, Recruitment and Retention Division

The Planning, Diversity, Recruitment and Retention Division is responsible for:

• Government-wide HR reform initiatives,
• Human resources planning, research and analysis,
• Retention studies and strategy,
• Recruitment mechanisms including:
  • Outreach,
  • Monitoring,
  • Demographic, and
  • Gap analysis.

The Division is also responsible for:

• Staffing policy development and program administration,
• Enhancing Health Canada's capacity in the area of staffing (advice and expert training),
• Diversity and Employment Equity (EE) (Policy), Awareness activities and related courses, and
• Official Languages (O.L.) (Policy) Parts IV, V and VI including complaints and language training.