In 2009, the IRC conducted a survey of LR professionals to glean their insights on the level of skills, knowledge, and abilities required for the profession. The survey also explored the amount of time LR professionals were spending on certain LR tasks. Based on this research, led by Anne Grant and Stephanie Noel, the IRC determined that Mastering Fact-Finding and Investigation is a critical skill that LR professionals must hone. Accordingly, earlier this year, the IRC launched its inaugural Mastering Fact-Finding and Investigation program. The program is part of the IRC's new Advanced Labour Relations certificate, which builds on the skills and knowledge acquired in the Labour Relations certificate series. The Advanced Labour Relations certificate includes three programs: Mastering Fact-Finding and Investigation (launched in April 2011), Strategic Grievance Handling (launching in May 2012), and Optimizing the Labour-Management Relationship: Leadership Skills for LR professionals (launching in 2013). (More)
By Richard A. Russell, Principal, Agree Incorporated
Jean passed the talking piece to Kimberly. You could see her shoulders straighten, a deep intake of breath, a glance around the circle of her assembled colleagues. She was steeling herself to say what was difficult but necessary. Kimberly explained that, for her, the constant putting down of customers and negativity around workplace conditions was unacceptable and made it difficult to enjoy and take pride in her work. She asked that the team demonstrate professionalism toward clients and respect the fact that everyone ought to be able to come to work and expect a reasonably supportive environment.(More)
When it comes to psychological harassment and bullying in the workplace, targets report that HR departments often make a bad situation much worse, says Jana Raver, Queen's School of Business Assistant Professor and E. Marie Shantz Research Fellow in Organizational Behaviour.(More)
How can organizational leaders help to create healthy,conflict-friendly workplaces? Bernard Mayer, a Queen’s IRC facultymember who is an international expert in conflict resolution andmediation, shares insights for managers in the following Q & A(More)
An Excerpt from "The Conflict Resolution Toolbox" by Gary Furlong
In his research and practice, Queen's IRC faculty member andmediator Gary Furlong has found that when it comes to real-lifeconflict, one size does not fit all. In the following sampling from hisnew book, “The Conflict Resolution Toolbox,” Gary discusses the valueof the Circle of Conflict as a multi-purpose tool — one of his “topeight” to help mediators, negotiators, lawyers, managers, andsupervisors reach agreements in even the most intractable disputes.(More)
An expert in managing conflict, Dr. John S. Andrew teachesnegotiation at Queen's School of Urban and Regional Planning; providesindependent facilitation and mediation services to parties involved inland use, environmental, and transportation disputes; and leadsexecutive seminars on strategic consensus-building in corporate realestate.
Dr. Andrew spoke with us about what makes a good conflictmanager. You need to be part problem-solver, part creative thinker, andpart loner, undaunted by the prospect of eating lunch by yourself.(More)
On November 2 to 3, 2000, scholars, unionists, employee relations professionals, dispute resolution practitioners, and representatives from industry and government attended a special symposium on the State of the Art and Practice in Dispute Resolution. The symposium was held to pay tribute to the late Dr. Bryan M. Downie, an outstanding scholar and practitioner in the field of dispute resolution and industrial relations. The purpose of the symposium was to bridge theory and practice, contribute to a greater understanding of current approaches used in dispute resolution, and provide participants with an effective learning environment in which they could share knowledge and experiences. The event was jointly developed and sponsored by representatives from academia, business, and labour and supported with funding by the Labour-Management Partnerships Program.(More)
Drawing on detailed interviews with experienced med-arbiters from the Grievance Settlement Board, this study looks at the advantages of “med-arb”, in which parties attempt to reach voluntary agreements before proceeding to arbitration. (Download)
The revival of grievance mediation is traced in this current issues paper, which contrasts the impact of mediation and arbitration on the interests of parties using a case study approach. (Download)
The rise of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) to provide more efficient and less expensive methods of settling disputes, and the advantages and requirements for the success of ADR and mediation, are covered in this paper. (Download)
This research paper traces the development of Internal Dispute Resolution (IDR) as a way of resolving human rights issues internally without involving third parties. It also provides detailed practical advice for designing IDR programs, which improve employee morale and cost less when compared with more traditional, formal procedures. (Download)
The 2010 Don Wood Lecture was delivered by The Honourable Warren K. Winkler, Chief Justice of Ontario. The Chief Justice’s lecture presented a synopsis of changes in the labour relations field. The Chief Justice spoke about the “Golden Era” of labour arbitration (1944-1967), and drawing on his experiences and observations, commented on changes in the field today. These changes include a shift in the culture of labour arbitrations, from one of camaraderie amongst colleagues, to a litigation-based process. He concluded his talk with a call to action for labour arbitrators to rid the “dysfunctional arbitration culture” by raising awareness of proportionality (the amount of time spent on a case has to reflect the importance of the case) and protecting the integrity of labour arbitration by ensuring a fair process, with affordable cost, and appropriate timelines.
George C.B. Smith, Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Organization at CBC/Radio-Canada, shares lessons from his 33-year career as a management negotiator. He underlines three essentials for success: organizational alignment; managing the interpersonal aspects; and managing the complexities of the process. (Download)
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Canada, Ltd. ISBN: 0-470-83517-6 Year: 2005 Price: $49.99 Buy Now!
The Conflict Resolution Toolbox equips any practitioner with the clear, practical insights they need to find conflict's roots and resolve disputes quickly. (More)
These published proceedings of the symposium discuss strategies and approaches for improving relationships, solving problems, and resolving disputes more effectively. (More)
Le present recueil de comptes rendus propose des strategies et des demarches aptes a ameliorer les relations, a resoudre les problemes et a regler les conflits d'une facon plus efficace. (More)
