Program Overview
Developing Techniques and Processes to Strategically Prevent and Manage Grievances
The number of outstanding grievances is one of the most telling indicators of the state of labour relations in a unionized environment. Considering legal costs, damage to labour-management relationships and reduced productivity, grievances can also be very expensive for both employers and unions. Like taxes, grievances are a part of the unionized workplace but many can be avoided and strategic practitioners can play a role in reducing their frequency. There are measures that can be taken before grievances are launched. There are steps that you can take during the grievance procedure, during mediation and in advance of the arbitration process to lessen the impact on employees, the union, and the organization. That’s where this program comes in.
Strategic grievance handling is a thoughtful approach to labour relations. It involves identifying workplace-wide issues or problems, then analyzing the way in which proactive individual grievance management can address those issues. A long-term goal can then be developed for solving the systemic issues. You will come away from this program with the big-picture perspective, as well as some skills that you can use back at work to confidently handle all steps in the grievance process.
Learning Outcomes
Learning Objectives
- Diagnose when and how conflict escalates
- Understand the context, purpose and details of a grievance
- Consider your options both before and when a grievance is filed
- Prepare for and take control of the grievance meeting
- Deploy your skills more effectively during the grievance process
- Strategically consider options for resolution such as mediation, arbitration or med-arb
- Conduct a grievance analysis before a round of collective bargaining
- Understand how strategy can feed a positive relationship cycle
Organizational Benefits
- Better understanding of the risks and opportunities of the grievance process
- Enhanced in-house capacity to handle grievances
- Reduced time and legal costs spent on arbitration
- Poised and well-grounded responses to changing labour laws and legal issues
- Clear and supportable positions going into collective bargaining
Who Should Attend
Supervisors and Managers
Learn a thoughtful approach to labour relations.
Union Officials
Confidently identify workplace-wide issues and problems and learn how to analyze them.
Shop Stewards
Gain skills in proactive grievance management.
Facilitators and Speakers
Takeaway Tools
- Five-Stage Conflict Escalation Model
- Grievance Preparation Checklist
- Understanding the grievance process versus other complaint processes
- Insights into planning personal or workplace strategies for prevention of grievances
