#WorkLawWednesday: Why Does the Harassee Always Pay the Price?
Many employers have Harassment Policies. They are mostly well-intentioned. Often, a Harassment Policy will set out the general principles of behaviour that is no longer acceptable in the workplace. There will be a mechanism for filing complaints. Generally, an internal or external investigation…
#WorkLawWednesday: Halifax, We Need to Talk about Sexual Harassment and Violence
A close family friend was walking by a group of teenage boys in a sports facility when he heard them talking about a female classmate who was not present. The boys were commenting on her appearance and began to “joke” about gang-raping her….
Sexual Harassment in the Workplace & Trump
On October 8, 2016, video surfaced of U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump making sexually vulgar and demeaning comments about a particular woman and about women in general in a 2005 conversation with Billy Bush, then of Access Hollywood: see The Washington Post article….
Preventing Sexual Harassment in your Workplace
If it wasn’t evident before, it should be now – CBC/Ghomeshi, Dalhousie Faculty of Dentistry, Canadian Armed Forces, the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Justice Camp inquiry – sexual harassment and sexual stereotypes are pervasive in our society and no workplace, no matter how…
Can Harassment & Bullying Investigations Be Re-Designed to Restore/Transform Workplace Relationships?*
Many workplaces have policies prohibiting bullying and harassment and providing for a formal complaint and investigation process. In some jurisdictions, for example federally-regulated workplaces, employers are required by statute to protect employees from workplace harassment and to have policies and a complaint and…
Ivany 2 Years Later: Can Coaching Help Change Nova Scotia’s Business Culture
On February 12, 2014, the Nova Scotia Commission on building our new economy, headed by Ray Ivany, released its report, “Now or Never: An Urgent Call to Action for Nova Scotians” (the “Ivany Report”). According to Ivany, this Province’s economy is in crisis….
Workplace Investigations Seminar Held on January 20, 2016
On January 20, 2016, PL’s Gail Gatchalian facilitated the Human Resources Association of Nova Scotia’s half-day Workplace Investigations Seminar. The objectives of the seminar were to learn how to: conduct competent workplace investigations into allegations such as discrimination, harassment, bullying and occupational health and…
ADR Atlantic Lunch and Learn on Restorative Justice
Pink Larkin was pleased to host the ADR Atlantic Institute Lunch & Learn on October 5, 2015, featuring Professor Jennifer Llewellyn, Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University, on “The Dalhousie Dentistry School: A Restorative Justice Case Study.”
Pink Larkin Workplace Investigations Workshop
Restorative Workplace Investigations Workshop For Senior Human Resources Practitioners Part I: November 13, 2015 Part II: May 13, 2016 Instructors: Kim Turner, Q.C. and Gail Gatchalian, Pink Larkin Location: Pink Larkin, Halifax, Nova Scotia Date: Part I – Friday, November 13,…
The Burden of Unresolved Conflict
In one of my favourite children’s books,[1] a panda named Stillwater teaches a young boy about the burden of unresolved conflict. The boy has had an argument with his brother, and instead of enjoying a day of swimming with Stillwater, the boy continues…