The Department of Justice has expressed concerns about its ability to retain lawyers on staff..According to Blacklock’s Reporter, an internal audit did not provide a specific reason. Still, the department conducted "violence risk assessments" three years ago due to office conflicts and disputes..“The Department of Justice, like all public service employers, is facing a competitive labour market,” said an Audit of Recruitment. .“With a job vacancy rate of 4.9%, up from 3.1% at the beginning of 2020, all federal institutions are being asked to think about what sets the public service apart and how to promote its mission of serving Canada.”.“For several years, the department has suffered from persistent challenges in attracting, developing and retaining skilled professionals,” wrote auditors..Under the current collective agreement with the Association of Justice Counsel, federal lawyers can earn up to $222,000 per year for a 37.5-hour workweek, and this compensation may be based on their seniority, with the possibility of receiving 7% annual bonuses..The department said it would send teams to “career fairs, networking activities and university campuses where Department of Justice recruiters can speak directly with individuals” and encourage them to work as federal lawyers. .The Canadian Bar Association is currently estimated to have around 36,000 members..“In 2021, the department hired more than 200 lawyers and more than 400 other professionals,” wrote auditors. .“It also experienced nearly 600 departures. Currently, demand for legal and other professionals remains high, with the department forecasting the need for nearly 300 new lawyers and more than 150 other employees in 2023.”.The department did not provide a reason for the shortage of lawyers..However, in 2020, it reported to Parliament it hired consultants to “carry out a workplace violence risk assessment” at its Montreal offices. .A similar assessment was done at the department of Justice headquarters in Ottawa following a “workplace violence complaint.”.Federal lawyers working for the Public Prosecution Service have raised concerns about experiencing harassment from their colleagues and supervisors..A 2019 Saskatoon office audit found " behaviours inconsistent with the Values and Ethics Code of the Public Service.”.“Interviewees reported they had witnessed or experienced harassment, disrespectful treatment or discrimination in the workplace, some of which originated during appearances before the provincial courts,” said the Audit of the Saskatchewan Regional Office. .“It is expected that management will react in an appropriate manner when they become aware of the situation.”.In 2018, the Prosecution Service employed private investigators to examine misconduct allegations at its Ontario Regional Office in Toronto..“The Law Society of Ontario is aware of the allegations,” Joel Gluss, spokesperson for the Service, said in an earlier interview..Allegations were not detailed.
The Department of Justice has expressed concerns about its ability to retain lawyers on staff..According to Blacklock’s Reporter, an internal audit did not provide a specific reason. Still, the department conducted "violence risk assessments" three years ago due to office conflicts and disputes..“The Department of Justice, like all public service employers, is facing a competitive labour market,” said an Audit of Recruitment. .“With a job vacancy rate of 4.9%, up from 3.1% at the beginning of 2020, all federal institutions are being asked to think about what sets the public service apart and how to promote its mission of serving Canada.”.“For several years, the department has suffered from persistent challenges in attracting, developing and retaining skilled professionals,” wrote auditors..Under the current collective agreement with the Association of Justice Counsel, federal lawyers can earn up to $222,000 per year for a 37.5-hour workweek, and this compensation may be based on their seniority, with the possibility of receiving 7% annual bonuses..The department said it would send teams to “career fairs, networking activities and university campuses where Department of Justice recruiters can speak directly with individuals” and encourage them to work as federal lawyers. .The Canadian Bar Association is currently estimated to have around 36,000 members..“In 2021, the department hired more than 200 lawyers and more than 400 other professionals,” wrote auditors. .“It also experienced nearly 600 departures. Currently, demand for legal and other professionals remains high, with the department forecasting the need for nearly 300 new lawyers and more than 150 other employees in 2023.”.The department did not provide a reason for the shortage of lawyers..However, in 2020, it reported to Parliament it hired consultants to “carry out a workplace violence risk assessment” at its Montreal offices. .A similar assessment was done at the department of Justice headquarters in Ottawa following a “workplace violence complaint.”.Federal lawyers working for the Public Prosecution Service have raised concerns about experiencing harassment from their colleagues and supervisors..A 2019 Saskatoon office audit found " behaviours inconsistent with the Values and Ethics Code of the Public Service.”.“Interviewees reported they had witnessed or experienced harassment, disrespectful treatment or discrimination in the workplace, some of which originated during appearances before the provincial courts,” said the Audit of the Saskatchewan Regional Office. .“It is expected that management will react in an appropriate manner when they become aware of the situation.”.In 2018, the Prosecution Service employed private investigators to examine misconduct allegations at its Ontario Regional Office in Toronto..“The Law Society of Ontario is aware of the allegations,” Joel Gluss, spokesperson for the Service, said in an earlier interview..Allegations were not detailed.
