Live Online Sessions
Advanced Certificate Programs
Workplace Fairness Assessments & Workplace Restoration
Delivered in partnership with the ADR Institute of Ontario
Live Online via Zoom
Monday to Friday
Noon to 4:30 p.m. (Eastern)
Summer 2026
Part 1: Workplace Fairness Assessments
July 6 to 10, 2026
Starts in (Days)
Part 2: Workplace Restoration
July 20 to 24, 2026
Starts in (Days)
Course agendas
Part 1: Workplace Fairness Assessments (July 6 to 10, 2026)
Day 1: Fairness Foundations
Understand the connection between workplace fairness, conflict, and culture
- Understand WFI's founding principle and vision of workplace fairness.
- Understand and explore foundational conflict theories to learn how conflict works in an organizational context.
- Understand the relationship between workplace culture and conflict, utilizing several WFI theories and tools.
Days 2 & 3: Fairness Systems
Understand what a fairness/conflict management system (CMS) is and how to identify, analyze, and transform it
- In this course the terms fairness system and conflict management system (CMS) are used interchangeably.
- Understand the three-step fairness system analysis process.
- Understand the unique features of fairness systems that distinguish unionized from non-unionized workplaces.
- Understand WFI's Holistic Fairness (Conflict Management) System Model, and what distinguishes it from traditional views and approaches to conflict management.
- Practice identifying a workplace's conflict management system (CMS) using WFI's Holistic CMS Checklist.
- Understand the reasons, history, and how to evaluate a workplace's CMS using WFI's Testing Instrument for Fairness Systems (TIFFS) evaluation tool.
- Understand how to prioritize and propose realistic amendments to strengthen a workplace's CMS and positively impact the lives of workplace participants.
- Understand how to forecast the impact of CMS amendments for goal-setting and benchmarking purposes.
- Understand the importance of developing an implementation and monitoring plan for CMS amendments that is focused on continual improvement.
Day 4: Fairness Assessments
Understand what a Workplace Fairness Assessment (WFA) is and how to facilitate WFI's five-phase WFA process
- Understand the various types of workplace assessments, their purposes, and the methodologies used.
- Understand the five-phase WFI Workplace Fairness Assessment (WFA) process, including best practices and challenges as identified in WFI's WFA Roadmap.
- Understand the role of the WFA practitioner, including the importance of adopting a trauma-informed and intersectional WFA approach.
Day 5: Selling the WFA Process
- Understand and explore how to sell the WFA process to workplace leaders, including the WFA value prosition and cost of doing nothing.
- Understand and practice using three practical WFI tools to build a WFA business case, including the WFI workplace health scorecard, respectful workplace survey, and fairness cost analysis tool.
- Explore a WFA Case Study.
Part 2: Workplace Restoration (July 20 to 24, 2026)
Day 1: Restoration Foundations
- Understand WFI's definition and approach to workplace restoration.
- Understand the connection between workplace fairness, conflict (perceived unfairness), and trauma.
- Understand the vital role of the workplace restoration practitioner, and the power of trust and a trustworthy restoration process.
- Understand restoration fallacies, tips, and key terms.
- Understand when restoration is and is not appropriate.
- Understand how workplace restoration differs from restorative justice and group intervention.
Days 2: Trauma & Intersectionality
- Understand how trauma can arise during the restoration process and the imperatives for adopting a trauma-informed, intersectional approach.
- Understand trauma-informed foundations, including:
- The three Es of trauma
- The four Rs trauma-informed response
- The six trauma-informed principles
- Understand intersectionality foundations, including:
- What is intersectionality?
- The six intersectionality components
- The eight intersectionality enablers
- Explore WFI's trauma-informed and intersectionality framework, including supportive techniques to use throughout the restoration process (before, during, and after).
Days 3 & 4: WFI's Five-Phase Workplace Restoration
- Understand and apply WFI's five-phase workplace restoration process, using WFI's Workplace Restoration Roadmap and tools.
- Phase 1: Organization
- Phase 2: Assess
- Phase 3: Report
- Phase 4: Engage
- Phase 5: Monitor
Day 5: Selling Restoration & Culture Change
- Understand and explore how to sell the workplace restoration process and culture change to workplace leaders, including the value proposition and cost of doing nothing.
- Practice building a workplace restoration business case using three practical WFI tools, including the WFI workplace health scorecard, respectful workplace survey, and fairness cost analysis tool.
Virtual Learning Environment & Program Delivery Team
Virtual learning environment
In conflict management and our learning environment, we recognize that trauma profoundly affects perceptions and reactions, and acknowledge that everyone has unique experiences of discrimination and oppression.
In this program:
- We apply a trauma-informed and intersectional approach.
- We recognize that the content may evoke past experiences or emotions.
- We encourage you to proceed at your own pace and share what you feel comfortable with.
To the extent you are comfortable, we encourage you to be on camera in our live sessions and breakout rooms.
Program delivery team
Workplace Fairness International has long partnered with the ADR Institute of Ontario to deliver the Advanced Workplace Fairness Assessment and Workplace Restoration Programs to the practitioner community. We are excited to do so again!
Blaine Donais (he/him), Lead Facilitator
Workplace Fairness International, President and Founder
LL.B., LL.M., C.Med., Q.Arb., PHSA, WFA
Read Blaine's Bio (click on the "+")
Blaine founded Workplace Fairness International (WFI) in 2005.
He has devoted over 30 years to advancing workplace safety and fairness in both public and private sector organizations.
His experience includes:
- Practicing union-side labour lawyer and negotiator from 1995 to 2017.
- Chartered Mediator (C.MED.), ADR Institute of Canada.
- Registered Practitioner of Dispute Resolution (RPDR), Canadian International Institute of Applied Negotiations (CIIAN).
- Adjunct Professor of Workplace Dispute Resolution at Atkinson College, York University, Toronto, and Adjunct Professor for the Centre for Industrial Relations and Human Resources at the University of Toronto.
- Professor for the Centre for Industrial Relations and Human Resources at the University of Toronto.
- Former Chair of the ADR Institute of Ontario's Chartered Mediator Assessment Committee.
- Author of Workplaces That Work, Engaging Unionized Employees, and The Art and Science of Workplace Mediation (all published by Carswell).
Tommy Lam, Session Host (he/him)
Senior Manager, Programs
ADR Institute of Ontario
Barb Nekich, Program Support (she/her)
Director, Learning Programs
Workplace Fairness International
Program Testimonials
The advanced workplace restoration and fairness assessment training was transformative. Beyond the robust curriculum, the small group activities were incredibly enriching. Collaborating with diverse professionals allowed me to explore multiple perspective on workplace challenges deepen my understanding through meaningful discussions. The interactive learning environment enabled us to share experiences, challenge assumptions and developed nuanced conflict resolution strategies. The course not only provided practical assessment models but also created a dynamic space for collective learning and professional growth.
Receiving the full Frank McLean Memorial Scholarship for this program was an incredible honor. The training offered a comprehensive and well-structured approach to workplace fairness, reinforcing key principles with practical tools and insightful discussions. The interactive platform and supportive community made the experience even more valuable. I appreciated the depth of the curriculum and the opportunity to engage with like-minded professionals.
Thank you to the team (especially: Blaine Donais, Barb Nekich and Tommy Lam) for their dedication—this program is an excellent resource for anyone committed to fostering respectful and equitable workplaces.
I highly recommend this program to all HR, LR, and ADR professionals who regularly manage workplace conflict! I am so glad that I took this course. It truly delivers what it promises. WFI has curated the best evidence-based research on proactively identifying and addressing the barriers to a psychologically healthy and productive workplace. Blaine Donais and his guest speakers expertly deliver easily digestible information and practical tools that busy practitioners can quickly apply to drive positive change in their organizational culture.
As a recipient of the Frank McLean half-scholarship, I had the privilege of attending the Workplace Fairness Institute's Workplace Restoration and Fairness Assessment program in summer 2024. Even though I have been doing workplace restorations for a decade, the course was an eye-opening experience, providing invaluable tools and insights for managing difficult conflicts in the workplace. The blend of theory and practical case work was exceptional, equipping me with a comprehensive fairness model that addresses workplace issues at their core. The tools provided in the hand out material are a constant go-to for me as I navigate the changing demands of workplace dynamics. This program has significantly enhanced my ability to foster healthier, more productive work environments.
Fairness is our founding principle and workplace fairness is our vision
Every person is treated with equity of concern and respect, regardless of their position, status, or power.