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Workplace Fairness Learning Hub

Live Online Sessions

Advanced Fairness Culture Programs

Workplace Fairness Assessment & Workplace Restoration

Delivered in partnership with the ADR Institute of Ontario

Join our Fall 2026 Session!

Live Online via Zoom

Monday to Friday

Noon to 4:30 p.m. (Eastern)

  • Registration for the Winter 2026 sessions opens on October 5, 2026
  • Part 1: Workplace Fairness Assessments (November 16 to 20, 2026)
  • Part 2: Workplace Restoration (November 30 to December 4, 2026)
eMail Us to Join the Waitlist
Please note: These dates are tentative and may change.
  • Winter 2027: Registration opens on November 30, 2026
  • Part 1: Workplace Fairness Assessments (January 18 to 22, 2027)
  • Part 2: Workplace Restoration (February 1 to 5, 2027)
  • Spring 2027: Registration opens on February 1, 2027
  • Part 1: Workplace Fairness Assessments (April 19 to 23, 2027)
  • Part 2: Workplace Restoration (May 3 to 7, 2027)
  • Summer 2027: Registration opens on May 3, 2027
  • Part 1: Workplace Fairness Assessments (July 5 to 9, 2027)
  • Part 2: Workplace Restoration (July 19 to 23, 2027)
  • Fall 2027: Registration opens on July 19, 2027
  • Part 1: Workplace Fairness Assessments (October 18 to 22, 2027)
  • Part 2: Workplace Restoration (November 1 to 5, 2027)
Register Now!

Program Agendas

Part 1: Advanced Workplace Fairness Assessment

September 21 to 25, 2026

Starts in (Days)
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 how a culture of fairness is enacted, and the vital role of leaders, power dynamics, and employee empowerment and recognition.
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.
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.
  • 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: Advanced Workplace Restoration

October 5 to 9, 2026

Starts in (Days)
  • Understand WFI's definition and approach to workplace restoration.
  • Understand the connection between workplace fairness, conflict (perceived unfairness), and trauma.
  • 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.
  • Understand the vital role of the workplace restoration practitioner, and the power of trust and a trustworthy restoration process.
  • Understand WFI's five-phase restoration process.
  • 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).
  • 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
  • Understand and explore how to gain leadership buy-in for the workplace restoration process and culture change, 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.

Program Delivery Team

Picture of Blaine Donais

Blaine Donais (he/him), Lead Facilitator

Workplace Fairness International, President and Founder
LL.B., LL.M., C.Med., Q.Arb., PHSA, WFA

Blaine founded Workplace Fairness International (WFI) in 2005.

He has devoted over 30 years to advancing workplace safety and fairness in both the public and private sectors.

  • Blaine's credentials include:
  • 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).

Barb Nekich, Program Support (she/her)

Director, Learning Programs
Workplace Fairness International

Barb has worked in human resources for over 25 years. Her professional experience spans several industries and sectors, including financial services, higher education, local government, and management consulting. She is an avid proponent of Canada’s National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace and advocates for safe, healthy, and fair work that prevents harm, promotes health, and helps workers and workplaces thrive.

In her role with WFI, Barb leads the development of our Learning Hub and contributes to our program design and training materials.

  • Barb's credentials include:
  • Effective Workplace Responses to Mental Health Certificate Program, Pacific Coast University for Workplace Health Sciences (2024)
  • Certificate in Workplace Mental Health, Osgoode Professional Development (2023)
  • Workplace Fairness Analyst, Workplace Fairness International (2023)
  • Psychological Health and Safety Advisor, Canadian Mental Health Association (2017)

WFI has long delivered this program in partnership with the ADR Institute of Ontario.

To learn more about how the Advanced Workplace Fairness Assessment and Advanced Workplace Restoration programs qualify for advanced training and count toward the advanced educational condition for the Qualified Mediator (Q.Med) and Chartered Mediator (C.Med) designation, click on the tab below.

Combined, the Advanced Workplace Fairness Assessment and the Workplace Restoration programs are accredited for 40 hours of advanced training and count toward the advanced educational condition for the Qualified Mediator (Q.Med) and Chartered Mediator (C.Med) designation with the ADR Institute of Ontario.

Please note:

For more information on the Q.Med and C.Med designations, click the button below to email ADRIO at [email protected]

Email Adrio Now

Special pricing is available to current members of the ADR Institute of Ontario (ADRIO) and the ADR Institute of Canada (ADRIC). Please use the following coupon codes during checkout (only one coupon code can be used).

ADRIO $200 discount

Coupon Code: ADRIO-PXZEED6V

ADRIC $100 discount

Coupon Code: ADRIC-S4QCB5JC

Register Now!

Workplace Fairness Assessment
(WFA)

$1,999 CAD, plus tax
Register Now

Workplace Restoration
(WR)

$1,999 CAD, plus tax
Register Now

Bundled Program
(WFA & WR)

$3,499 CAD, plus tax
Register Now
Special pricing for ADRIO and ADRIC members

Special pricing is available to members of the ADR Institute of Ontario (ADRIO) and the ADR Institute of Canada (ADRIC). Please click on the tab to learn more.

Special pricing is available to current members of the ADR Institute of Ontario (ADRIO) and the ADR Institute of Canada (ADRIC). Please use the following coupon codes during checkout (only one coupon code can be used).

ADRIO $200 discount

Coupon Code: ADRIO-PXZEED6V

ADRIC $100 discount

Coupon Code: ADRIC-S4QCB5JC

Scholarship Opportunity!

Learn More

The Frank McLean Memorial Scholarship

Apply Now

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.
Sara Wadhwa
Sara Wadhwa
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.
Jane Kanu
Jane Kanu
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.
Linda Barnett Coelho
Linda Barnett Coelho
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.
Penny Tremblay
Penny Tremblay
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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.