Mediation | Investigations | Arbitration

Applies to any dispute involving interpretation of a collective agreement or imposition of discipline.

Interest based arbitration occurs less frequently than rights arbitration and arises over disputes establishing terms or conditions of employment that parties have been unable to bargain collectively.

As a neutral, I assist employers, employees, and unions alike in resolving conflict through facilitated discussion to enhance the understanding needed to find solutions that both parties can live with.

Workplace mediation sometimes referred to as restorative workplace mediation is intended to help improve working relationships by increasing the level of understanding of the parties’ issues and interests. It is aimed to increase the level of trust necessary to restore or improve troubled work relationships. It recognizes that more than likely individuals or groups have to continue working together so the stakes are higher compared to dealing with a single dispute where parties don’t have an ongoing relationship. It includes incorporating preventative measures to help the parties avoid having repeated dispute occurrences. One of the main benefits of mediation is that it provides the parties with the ability to control the outcome of their dispute by assisting them to create their own agenda and solutions rather than having unwanted outcomes imposed upon them.

Through facilitated and structured discussion, I help parties and their representatives resolve initiated litigation or formal complaints such as human rights’ complaints, wrongful/unjust dismissal complaints, etc.

As a neutral investigator I conduct comprehensive workplace investigations including fact-finding, analysis, and recommendations if requested.  A comprehensive written report of findings is provided.

Types of workplace investigations may include but are not limited to:

• Breach of Confidentiality
• Bullying
• Conflict of Interest
• Discrimination/Human Rights Violations
• Duty to Accommodate Violations
• Retaliation
• Sexual Harassment
• Toxic Work Environment
• Workplace Violence or Threats of Violence
• Workplace Misconduct including dishonesty, hate related behavior, theft, etc.
• Workplace Policy Violations

Through conducting Workplace Assessments I provide a means for an organization to address wider spread employee concerns or perceptions regarding the work environment with the aim to help employers determine what is working effectively and where improvement is needed.  Assessments provide employers with valuable information needed to make improvements before problems get worse to avoid things like high turnover, loss of key talent, deterioration of brand, or even litigation.

Workplace Assessments can take a variety of forms but typically include a combination of employee survey, interviews, and focus groups.

Signs that may indicate a workplace assessment may be beneficial for your organization:

• Multiple complaints or recurring issues around the same issue
• Rumblings or rumours in the workplace of a toxic work environment
• General concerns around management effectiveness that doesn’t warrant a formal investigation
• Issues related to dysfunction or conflict between members of a workplace team
• Unsatisfactory productivity
• A rash of workplace injuries
• A significant increase in customer complaints

Employers may also benefit from conducting a workplace assessment for the purpose of taking a “temperature or pulse” check to gauge the level of employee engagement or the impact of a significant change that was implemented.  This allows the organization to determine if the change is producing the desired results or whether further tweaks are necessary.