Interested in helping people resolve disputes outside of court? Curious about what the job market is like for mediators in Canada?

Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) has become increasingly popular across the country over the past few years, and mediation is an important part of that process.

Provinces like Ontario and Alberta have even made mediation mandatory in certain situations.

Even still, it’s not easy to find hard data on the demand for mediators in Canada.

We dug into the growing movement toward ADR and what it means for people looking to become mediators in this country.

Here’s what you need to know.

Health and safety managers have a critical leadership role in many organizations: creating and monitoring policies and programs to keep people safe on the job.

Ultimately, they’re responsible for identifying risks, preventing accidents, and promoting safety and wellness throughout the organization.

If you have a background in health and safety and are hoping to move your career forward, the next logical step is to become a health and safety manager.

So what do you need to move into this role?

We analyzed dozens of job postings to see what qualifications and skills employers look for when hiring health and safety (H&S) managers.

Here are the typical requirements you'll need to fulfill.

Family mediators help families settle conflicts and disagreements without going to court.

Mediators do not take sides or make decisions. Instead, they help each party understand the other's concerns, explore options, and agree on solutions.

Family mediators are often called in when a couple decides to end their relationship. They help the ex-partners work out arrangements regarding children, property, and finances.

But while divorce is a common family mediator practice area, it's not the only one. In fact, a variety of specializations exist within the field.

In this post, we explore 4 major practice areas in family mediation - and some helpful information on getting started in this career.

Your success as a mediator will depend on your ability to cultivate a sense of collaboration and trust between people in conflict. That's no easy feat.

After all, people usually enter into mediation because communication has broken down. Resentment, stress, and suspicion have made it difficult to see matters clearly—let alone negotiate a fair outcome!

Professional mediators need a toolkit of techniques they can use to break down those walls, create an atmosphere of trust, and get opposing sides talking in productive ways.

These are fundamental skills taught in mediation training - and competencies you'll continue to hone throughout your entire career.

Here are 4 ways to build rapport and break through mistrust during the mediation process.

“HR today sits smack-dab in the middle of the most compelling competitive battleground in business, where companies deploy and fight over that most valuable of resources—workforce talent.”  - Harvard Business Review

The field of human resources has transformed quite dramatically over the past few years. We used to think of HR as primarily about handling employee discipline problems, enforcing workplace policies, and hiring/firing people.

But as global business competition grows ever more intense, and new generations join the workforce, we’re seeing a major shift in the reality and perception of HR. 

Human resources professionals are joining strategy sessions with CEOs and other C-suite executives to discuss the growing importance and impact of “employee engagement,” “talent acquisition,” and “skills development.” 

HR has become an essential and integral part of business success, in every sector of the economy. 

Is human resources the right career for you? Consider these key points while making your decision.

Are you passionate about helping Ontario families settle disputes, separations, divorces, or custody issues without resorting to costly litigation?

Going through the process to become a certified family mediator is an excellent way to gain the skills and credentials to begin your career.

Certification is not technically required to work as a family mediator in Ontario. But it can open a lot of doors.

For instance, you generally need to be certified if you want to provide court-connected family mediation services.

So how do you get started?

This post details the steps required to become accredited through the Ontario Association for Family Mediation (OAFM).

Here's how the process works.

Health and safety managers are tasked with looking out for the physical, mental, and emotional health of staff members at all levels of an organization.

That means more than just avoiding accidents. The most effective health and safety (H&S) plans incorporate both safety and wellness.

But what's the difference between the two?

In a nutshell: Workplace safety initiatives revolve around preventing illness and injury on the job. Everyone is required to follow the rules and non-compliance can have serious consequences.

On the other hand, workplace health and wellness initiatives are aimed at promoting healthy behaviours (including mental health and emotional wellbeing). These are often voluntary programs, so participation is not mandatory.

Learn which workplace health and safety initiatives fall into each category—and why a good OHS plan must include elements from both.

In the wake of the pandemic, remote work has become the new norm. It's also become a new source of stress for people who aren't used to a totally virtual work environment.

But it looks like working from home is here to say, even post-Covid.

Many Canadian businesses are giving employees the option to continue working from home after the pandemic subsides.

And some are ditching their physical office space and going permanently online.

This massive shift to remote working is forcing managers to face a whole new set of challenges. 

How can you keep people connected and engaged when they're not together in the same office - or even the same time zone?

How do you track progress, monitor performance, and hold your staff accountable?

Apply these 7 simple strategies to take control and get comfortable with the new reality of virtual team management.

Photo: Health & Safety expert and instructor, Kylie Boyd

As we head into year two of the pandemic, many organizations are still struggling to re-define and optimize their approach to workplace safety and employee wellness.

We're seeing growing demand for health and safety leaders who can balance business objectives with the increasingly complex needs of workers. 

From hygiene control to mental health to considering the unique needs of people working from home: health and safety in today's environment poses a whole new set of challenges.

Striving to enhance your skills and stay ahead of the curve?

This is exactly what we teach in the new Health and Safety Management certificate at Kompass.

This week, we interviewed the instructor, Kylie Boyd to get an inside look at the training.

Kylie has over 17 years of experience in H&S leadership and has taught courses at both the undergraduate and post-graduate level.

Meet the instructor and find out what this course has to offer.

Occupational health and safety is top of mind for many people these days. In the midst of a global pandemic, keeping people safe and healthy on the job has a whole new importance.

But workplace health and safety goes far beyond protecting people from disease. It encompasses total wellness, from physical safety to mental health, emergency procedures, risk prevention, and safety training for staff.

Each year brings new regulations, new best practices, and new research on how to improve health and safety at work.

If you're looking to advance your OHS career, which areas should you focus on? Which health and safety manager skills are most important right now and over the long term?

We asked our own OHS instructor and industry expert, Kylie Boyd to weigh in. She teaches a Health and Safety Management course specifically designed to enhance leadership skills.

Find out which areas you should focus on to create a stronger safety culture and take your career to the next level.