FAQs
What is workplace mediation?
Workplace mediation is an effective, as well as time- and cost-efficient, process for resolving conflict in the workplace or other professional settings. That conflict can be between two employees, between a manager and a staff member, between an Executive Director and a Board Chair, between two departments, etc.. During this voluntary, confidential process, an impartial mediator helps the parties to reach a mutually acceptable solution.
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There are accusations of bullying in my workplace. Is investigation or mediation more appropriate?
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It’s not an either/or question; sometimes it’s most appropriate to choose both. Investigation and mediation serve different purposes.
The goal of an investigation is to provide an employer with crucial information about the truth of a complaint. And often, when an accusation of bullying or harassment is made, an employer is legally obligated to conduct an investigation under legislation, policy, or a collective agreement. Investigations provide information, but on their own, they don’t solve workplace culture problems.
The goal of mediation, on the other hand, is to address workplace culture challenges. During mediation, the parties discuss the conflict directly and openly. They are empowered to make choices about how they would like to see the conflict resolved. Unlike investigation, mediation is voluntary, so no one person can be compelled to participate in the mediation process.
How can a Labour Relations Consultant help my organization?
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A unionized workplace does not have to be a more difficult one to manage.
With our extensive knowledge and union-side experience, we are experts in building productive and positive relationships between management and the union. Whether you need fractional support during bargaining, advice on grievance handling, or leadership coaching for managing unionized staff, we are here to help.
What is involved in a workplace culture review?
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A culture review is an evaluation of an organization’s environment, team behaviour, procedures, and practices in order to identify areas for improvement or the root causes of any conflicts or ongoing issues. A culture review can be conducted proactively as part of an organization’s commitment to organizational development or in response to an identified issue such as high staff turnover.
The scope of a culture review can vary depending on the needs and budget of the organization. The review might aim to assess the whole workplace culture broadly or focus on a specific issue of concern in one department. The review typically includes individual interviews, a staff survey, workplace policy review, and a review of relevant Human Resources documentation.
What is workplace restoration?
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Workplace restoration is a structured process for establishing trust, respect, and harmonious working relationships following a disruptive event such as harassment complaints, investigations, or destructive dynamics. The restoration process at minimum will involve consultations with leadership and staff, an assessment of the organization’s psychological health and safety, the creation of a restoration plan, and a clear process for monitoring and assessing the implementation and outcome of the restoration strategy.
Depending on your organization’s unique situation, the restoration process might involve: education and/ or training, mediation, facilitated discussion, coaching, operational changes such as policy or procedural changes, or other interventions as appropriate.
Why choose Blackbird Resolutions?
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We Our goal is not to offer you a specific service but to work with you to create resolutions that will reduce conflict in your workplace and build organizational capacity.
In addition to our experience in coaching leaders, we are experts in labour relations and a wide range of alternative dispute resolution processes, including mediation, investigation, and negotiation.
Why the name “Blackbird”?
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The name is a nod to Adrienne Rich’s poem, “In Those Years.” In that poem, the Rich describes how “great dark birds of history” force us to realize that we cannot view our problems as individual or personal.
At Blackbird, we recognize that post-pandemic workplaces are often under stress for a variety of reasons that extend beyond the individual. Workplace conflicts have social effects and often have systemic causes.