Kompass Blog

Arbitration, mediation, and conciliation are popular forms of dispute resolution that offer interesting and diverse career opportunities.

People pursue alternative dispute resolution (ADR) training and accreditation for a number of reasons. Some aspire to become professional mediators or arbitrators. Others are simply looking to handle conflict better in their personal relationships or workplace.

It’s certainly an industry in demand. From business disputes to divorce settlements, people are turning to ADR as a more flexible, less costly, and more time-effective means of resolving conflicts.

Arbitration, mediation, and conciliation offer three different approaches to conflict resolution. They differ in terms of procedure and outcomes, as well as training and accreditation.

In this post, we guide you through clear definitions of arbitration versus mediation and conciliation, including applications along with pros and cons. Let's get started.

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.

Updated January 2024

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

All governments must deal with issues that affect large segments of the population, such as taxation, housing, health and safety, and more.

By pursuing a career in public policy, you can play a key role in shaping the principles and priorities that guide a government’s actions.

In this post, we explain what the public policy field is all about and why it matters. We also show you how to get involved in public policy through different educational options and career paths.

Updated December 2023

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.

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

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.

Updated January 2023

When people spend a significant amount of time together, conflicts are sure to arise. And when you add the pressures and stresses of the workplace, disputes become not only inevitable, but costly.

A global study from 2008 found that on average, employees spend roughly 2.1 hours each week dealing with conflicts at work. That equates to approximately one day each month in lost productivity.

The study also found that letting such disputes go unaddressed can lead to personal attacks, physical sicknesses, and project failures.

That's why workplace conflict resolution is a key area for mediation. A growing number of business leaders are using mediation to resolve corporate conflicts and restore harmony at the office.

Whether you’re an aspiring mediator, HR professional, or business manager, there are proven mediation techniques you can use to defuse conflicts and build a healthier work environment.

Start by following these seven key steps.