Gemma O'Connor

Head of HR Advisory and Technical Services

About Gemma O'Connor

Gemma is Head of HR Advisory and Technical Services at BrightHR. Throughout her 15 years with the Group, Gemma has worked extensively in HR and employment law and is highly experienced in advising employers across all industries on their toughest challenges. She has experience leading teams on day-to-day operations ensuring strategic goals are met and excellent service standards are maintained in line with client needs.

Published Articles

Female employee enjoys flexible working while sitting with laptop and dog comfortably resting on lap.

What is flexible working? Key advice for employers

Flexible working is a term that’s become central to conversations about the modern workplace, but what does it really mean? More importantly, what do you, as an employer, need to understand about implementing it effectively? That’s why we’re going to break down what flexible working is, and how it can benefit your business while addressing...

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Managing employees who work on call shifts

A summary of this article: Definition On call time can be classified as work hours based on employee restrictions (high vs. low) and expectations for response times. The law regarding on call shifts Managing on call shifts in Canada involves understanding varying provincial employment standards, including minimum wage, overtime, and leave...

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Mastering HR challenges with HR software for your Canadian business

Running a business is exciting and rewarding, but many HR challenges can make even the most seasoned managers and business owners feel like they’re juggling too many balls. But don’t worry—there’s a solution to these common HR challenges, and it’s simpler than you might think. Enter HR software, your new best friend in streamlining processes, ...

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Whistleblowing

Whistleblowing can happen in any workplace. It may not happen often with small businesses, and as an employer, you may think your business isn't at risk of having a whistleblower. But it's still important to know what it is and what to do if an employee ever decides to engage in whistleblowing against your business. What is a whistleblower? A ...

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Understanding Employment Law

Employment law in Canada is an area of law that applies to all federal and provincial workplaces, it’s in place to ensure employers act legally whilst operating. Depending on the jurisdiction, your workplace will be governed by different legislation. This guide will briefly go over the different types of employment law in Canada, common ...

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Changing Employees Working Hours

Many companies operate on varying work hours. This can lead employers to believe changing employees' working hours whenever they want is possible. Typically, salaried employees work on a fixed schedule with set times for clocking in and out, but employees who work on contract hours tend to vary their working hours to meet the business' ...