John Curtis Mediation

03/23/2022

I am thrilled to announce that Larissa Donovan has joined our team as associate lawyer, mediator, and investigator. I want to congratulate Larissa on her call to the Ontario bar on February 24, 2022 after she completed her articles with me.

Larissa brings specialized experience and knowledge to the practice including her degree in Gender Studies from Queen's University, a diploma in Human Resources Management from St. Lawrence College, and her distinguished achievements in human rights law and public interest advocacy while attending Thompson Rivers University - TRU World where she earned her JD. Larissa also holds certificates in Advanced Mediation Skills from the Mediation Centre of Southeastern Ontario and in Sexual and Gender Diversity from Queen’s University.

Larissa has already conducted and consulted on more than 30 investigations and dozens of mediations through her work with my practice. During her articles, Larissa published with the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Institute of Canada and contributed to several blog posts. ADR Institute of Canada

Watch for Larissa this summer where she will be sharing some of her knowledge on workplace conflict and cultural competence alongside me at the Mediation Associates of Eastern Ontario Professional Dialogues.​

Larissa and I are excited to continue working together assisting clients in conflict management and workplace investigations.

Please join me in welcoming Larissa!

11/30/2021

It happens all the time.

I get to the end of an investigation and provide my findings. The client reads it over, thinks about it, and decides what to do. Sometimes there is disciplinary action taken.

That’s when I get the call from an unhappy participant.

Why workplace harassment investigation reports are almost never shared with most of the participants.

11/17/2021

A few weeks ago, the only folks who might recognize the name Kyle Beach would be his friends, family, and his teammates in Germany. Possibly a few passionate hockey fans.

Today, he is at the centre of a massive scandal and lawsuit that calls into question how the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks handled, or rather didn’t handle, an accusation of sexual assault by one of its own players. Beach’s courageous decision to share his story is causing a reckoning within professional hockey and empowering others to come forward.

Lessons for organizations who are made aware of sexual assault allegations, like those made by Kyle Beach of the Chicago Blackhawks.

09/23/2020

Q: Two of my executives hate each other. They're both good at their jobs and it doesn't affect their performance, but they bicker constantly. What should I do?

Check out my answer to this question

Also: Why companies should encourage employees to take power naps during their lunch hour

09/10/2020

For the last three years a group of Kingston friends have come together for a 54km stand-up paddle board “marathon” fundraiser from downtown Kingston to Lake Opinicon.

It has become known as the Opinithon.

Each year they select a charity to support and this year we are the proud recipient.

The goal for the fundraiser is $10,000!!!

These funds will go to the Lionhearts Covid-19 Street project and will help provide hundreds of meals to our most vulnerable friends and neighbours.

The day of the big paddle will be either Friday September 11 or Saturday September 12. It depends on the wind!

There are only a few days left to help them reach their goal. Thank you to this wonderful group for supporting our efforts in the community.

Follow this link - and select Opinithon 2020 in the Fund drop down box to show your support, and help them reach their goal! 🦁♥️♥️

https://lionhearts.ca/donate-now/

08/31/2020

Have you ever wondered if you lose your job, how much compensation is fair?

Or do you have questions about whether members of your team should be considered a contractor or an employee?

To help Canadians with these questions, particularly during COVID-19, the Conflict Analytics Lab - CAL at Queen's Faculty of Law launched MyOpenCourt – a free, online platform that can help Canadians answer some basic employment law questions.

Should a user have a case and require legal help, they can be referred through MyOpenCourt to professional legal help for a pro bono consultation.

I am pleased to be one of the Canadian legal teams offering pro bono assistance to out-of-work Canadians through this platform, particularly as a Queen's University alum and past lecturer.

If you know someone who is out of work and wondering about their rights, please send them to myopencourt.org.

https://www.johncurtis.ca/myopencourt/

08/27/2020

𝗟𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗮 𝗗𝗼𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝗻 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻 𝗖𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

You may have met Larissa Donovan, our summer student, if you have been in contact with us in recent months. We’re pleased to announce, as Larissa concludes her law studies, she will be articling with us in 2021.

Larissa moved to Kingston in 2009 to complete her undergraduate degree at Queen's University, graduating with a Major in Gender Studies and a certificate in Sexual and Gender Diversity. She is currently completing her JD at Thompson Rivers University - TRU World in Kamloops, BC.

At Thompson Rivers, she is the club lead of the Women in Law Society. Larissa is also the management and logistics co-lead for Law Needs Feminism Because, a national collective of students and young professionals working to make our law schools, legal profession and justice system more accessible, diverse, and inclusive.

She is also a Board Member of the Dandelion Initiative, which focuses on survivors of sexual violence. Her passion project is called Safer Bars, Safer Spaces which deals with training programs and policy development for bars and restaurants to make their spaces safer for their staff and patrons.

Some of her achievements include receiving the Law Foundation of BC Public Interest Award in 2020, including a scholarship. She also received the Dean’s course prize in Human Rights Law.

Please join us in welcoming Larissa to the team and wishing her well as she concludes her studies.

08/26/2020

About 20 minutes before the Zoom video conference call was about to start, I learned that the Complainant would be joining the video conference from his supervisor’s office, using his supervisor’s computer, and assisted by that supervisor in getting the meeting started on the computer.

This would have been terrific but for the fact that the complaint was 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐫.

In my most recent blog post, I share three things we have learned about workplace investigations during a pandemic:

10/06/2017

Another great event Disrupt Kingston.

09/15/2017

It was an honour to be one of the individuals featured in the September issue of Profile Kingston. Thank you to the great team of Ann-Maureen Owens and Bernard Clark. Special thanks to Bonnie Golomb for all you do to share the stories of our community. You can pick up copies of Profile Kingston at participating advertisers. http://www.profilekingston.com/subpages/advertise.html

The September 2017 issue is available now! Look for your copy at home this week or at participating advertiser locations listed on our website, www.profilekingston.com. Feature articles include: Diana Drury, written by Christine Hamelin with photography by Randy deKleine-Stimpson; John Curtis, written by Ann-Maureen Owens with photography by Bernard Clark; and Peng-Sang Cau, written by Anne Ginn with photography by Kristen Ritchie.

01/17/2017

The Disrupt HR Kingston captured my 15 sec x 20 slides = 5-minute presentation. A lot of information in a short period of time. Thanks again to the organizers. https://vimeo.com/album/4360298/video/199704794

No Guts. No Glory. - a DisruptHR talk by John Curtis - Mediator, Conflict Coach and Conflict Resolution Trainer at Conflict Resolution Services DisruptHR Kingston…

12/06/2016

Dr. Anita Jack- Davies' new publication Diversity Dashboard for Leaders is a must read for anyone supervising a workplace that wants to take Diversity and Inclusion seriously and needs practical, concise guidance. download it here http://www.dranitajackdavies.com/store/

Store Diversity Dashboard for Leaders is the first workbook of its kind. It provides step-by-step instructions for leaders and staff in charge of implementing diversity initiatives in the workplace. This workbook is a must-have guide. It gives leaders the confidence to approach projects with vision…