Mediation has become an increasingly popular option for settling family disputes in Ontario. It’s typically quicker, more cost-effective, and less adversarial than going to court.

Mediators need to prepare and support their clients to make sure each party can participate fully. They need to be alert to anything that can adversely affect a client's ability to engage in the process, such as mental health issues or family violence.

That's why they meet with each party beforehand to understand the factors involved. This is known as pre-mediation, or "screening in."

Thinking about a career in mediation? Keep reading to learn what the intake process involves and why it’s so important.

Public policy can be described as the strategy governments use to meet the needs of society.

Updated December 2022

Are you interested in helping Ontario families work through their differences without going to court?

Family mediators play an important role in helping people navigate the end of a relationship. They help families work through disputes related to separation, divorce, child custody, and more—all while avoiding a costly, drawn-out litigation process.

But if you’re looking to specialize in family mediation, you may be wondering what it takes to get your career off the ground.

We combed through job postings and spoke to industry experts to find out what skills and qualifications are required to thrive as a family mediator.

Here’s what you typically need to have.

Becoming a public policy advisor or analyst offers a unique chance to make a real difference in the lives of millions of Canadians.

The way you integrate a new hire into your organization has a huge impact on that employee’s motivation and engagement.

Done well, onboarding helps new employees understand expectations, attitudes, tools, policies, and processes. It also helps them develop a sense of connection and camaraderie with both their team and the larger organization.

But that’s not easy to accomplish when people are working from home.

Team members who don’t share the same physical space aren’t able to absorb company culture and norms organically. They can’t just shadow a colleague all day and drop in on casual conversations around the water cooler.

So how can you help remote employees get set up for success right from the get-go?

Check out these best practices for virtual onboarding.

Updated January 2023

Does your job put you into close contact with individuals you suspect suffer from mental health issues? Feel ill-equipped to properly support these people because you simply don't understand the challenges they're facing—or how best to intervene?

You are certainly not alone. Many community-serving professionals lack mental health training and awareness. They don't possess the knowledge or practical skills needed to recognize mental health problems, interact with individuals in crisis, or refer mentally ill people to the most appropriate health care services.

Lack of organized education in this area has led to a mental health crisis in Canada. One in three Canadians will have mental health problems at some point in their lives—which means every single one of us, either directly or indirectly, is impacted by the epidemic.

It's clear that we need stronger, widespread education and service initiatives at the government level, but grassroots training is also extremely important.

Community mental health courses are an excellent first step for professionals who work with and serve the public.

These are just three ways quality training can completely change the way you do (and feel about) your job.

Updated January 2023

It's quite possible that opposing parties of a mediation will not trust each other. Whatever issue has brought them to this process, you can assume both sides are feeling anxious and have their walls up.

This is why it's so crucial that all participants be able to trust you, the mediator. You are the one objective individual at the negotiation table—the stable centre in the midst of all those swirling emotions, expectations, and uncertainty.

From the very first point of contact until the issue at hand has been resolved, the mediator must earn and maintain the trust of his or her clients. One of the key ways mediators accomplish this is by cultivating rapport, putting participants at ease, and establishing an atmosphere of cooperation.

But in their eagerness to build rapport, mediators sometimes stumble into traps. Take a look at four common mistakes to avoid when you're seeking to connect with your clients.

Employee mental health has been a core part of occupational health and safety (OHS) for many years. But the issue really took centre stage when COVID came along.

According to government surveys, 1 in 5 Canadian adults were dealing with symptoms of anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder in the fall of 2020. By the spring of 2021, that was up to 1 in 4.

Mental health has a huge impact on worker productivity. Depression, anxiety, and stress can make it difficult for people to focus or make decisions. That often leads to poor performance, absenteeism, and turnover.

Now more than ever, supporting the mental health of workers is a business imperative.

So what can OHS leaders do to create a psychologically safe and healthy work environment?

Here are a few strategies.

New managers are often on their own when it comes to navigating minefields like hiring, firing, and employee relations. And a misstep in any of these areas can have a serious impact on a business.

That’s why Kompass developed the Human Resources Management certificate. It’s designed to give new managers the tools and skills they need to embrace their new challenges with confidence.

Instructor Debra Wilson has 25 years of experience in numerous aspects of the human resources field.

We spoke with her recently to see what students can expect from the HR course and how the field is growing and changing.

Here’s what she had to say.

Remote work is rapidly becoming the new norm. And as many managers have discovered, leading a virtual team is not the same as leading an on-site group.

You’re still responsible for managing performance and helping your team reach its goals. But managing from afar requires a slightly different approach.

In today’s increasingly remote-first environment, getting the best from your employees means adapting the way you communicate and collaborate.

But what exactly does that mean? What can you do to become a more effective virtual leader?

Start by following these seven tips.