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Free Webinar: Designing Trauma- and Violence-Informed (TVI)Workplace Responses to Intimate Partner Violence
On December 9, I’ll be presenting a webinar with the Learning Network, Knowledge Hub, and Respect at Work on how trauma- and violence-informed (TVI) approaches can transform workplace responses to intimate partner violence. This is a topic deeply personal to me, and I’ll also be sharing daily LinkedIn videos for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence with practical tips for employers and HR professionals.

Rika Sawatsky
Nov 133 min read


Another Lesson in Procedural Fairness in Workplace Investigations
A recent Federal Court case, Qi v Canada (AG), 2025 FC 1783, highlights how even small procedural missteps in a workplace investigation can invalidate the outcome. Here’s what HR and employers need to know.

Rika Sawatsky
Nov 73 min read


Catching the Problem Upstream: Why Ontario’s New Support Line for Men Who Cause Harm Is a Step Forward—But Only a First Step
Ontario’s new 211 support line for men who cause harm is a promising early intervention. But for real progress, we must include survivors in design, embed accountability, and move prevention further upstream—with education that redefines what healthy relationships look like.

Rika Sawatsky
Nov 63 min read


Making the Invisible Visible: Why Every Workplace Needs to Address Domestic Violence
Many employers assume domestic violence doesn’t touch their workplace — but the truth is, one in ten employees are affected right now. Here’s why leaders must stop looking away and start addressing intimate partner violence as a workplace issue.

Rika Sawatsky
Nov 52 min read


Rethinking Persons Day: Honouring Those Left Behind
Persons Day is often celebrated as a milestone for women’s rights — but not all women were recognized as “persons” in 1929. This reflection explores how to honour the women who were left behind and celebrate the day with honesty, empathy, and inclusion.

Rika Sawatsky
Oct 272 min read


Ontario Court Opens Door to New Legal Claim for Injury to Dignity in Anti-Black Racism Case
The Ontario Superior Court has opened the door to a potential new legal claim for “injury to dignity” caused by systemic anti-Black racism in the workplace. The self-represented plaintiff, Crown lawyer Jean-Marie Dixon, challenges the boundaries of human rights and labour law — and her courage may help reshape both.

Rika Sawatsky
Oct 242 min read


Menopause at Work: Moving Beyond Myths, Stigma, and “Yoga-at-Your-Desk” Solutions
Most if not all older women in the workplace face discrimination tied to menopause. A recent UK study shows how workplace myths and token “wellness” fixes, like yoga breaks, miss the mark. Here’s what real inclusion looks like.

Rika Sawatsky
Oct 242 min read


When Legal Strategy Crosses the Line: Family Status Accommodation Lessons from Marks v PepsiCo Canada
In Marks v PepsiCo Canada, a single mother’s human rights claim turned into a retraumatizing ordeal when her employer called her abusive ex as a surprise witness. This case highlights the urgent need for a trauma- and violence-informed approach to human rights litigation.

Rika Sawatsky
Oct 223 min read


A 7-Minute Video That Changed Hiring Outcomes — and What It Means for Ontario Employers
A new Harvard and University of Exeter study found that a simple 7-minute video before hiring decisions dramatically improved outcomes for equity-deserving candidates. Here’s what it means for Ontario employers as new job posting laws take effect.

Rika Sawatsky
Oct 173 min read


Rethinking Accommodation Through a Trauma- and Violence-Informed Lens
In OPSEU v LCBO, a rural worker facing intimate partner violence and suspected alcohol use was terminated despite the employer “doing everything right.” This case reveals why trauma- and violence-informed accommodation matters — and how communities can step up to remove barriers to safety and support.

Rika Sawatsky
Oct 133 min read


Gender Pay Gap & Sexual Harassment Start Early
Teenage girls earn $3 less per hour than boys in their summer jobs — and the gap is even wider in caregiving roles. What does that tell us about the roots of workplace inequity, and what can organizations do to make change?

Rika Sawatsky
Oct 102 min read


Beyond Culture Reviews: Why Participatory Gender Audits Go Further
Participatory Gender Audits (PGAs) go beyond traditional culture reviews — providing a more intersectional, rigorous, and evidence-based way to understand how identity, bias, and systems interact in the workplace. Here’s how PGAs help organizations build more inclusive and resilient cultures.

Rika Sawatsky
Oct 82 min read


When “No Harassment Complaints” Doesn’t Mean “No Harassment” in the Workplace
Many workplaces take comfort in having little to no harassment complaints. But “no complaints” doesn’t always mean “no problems.” Here are three overlooked gaps that might be hiding behind seemingly clean stats — and what HR leaders can do to close them.

Rika Sawatsky
Oct 83 min read


Family status accommodation: the limits of information requests
A recent legal decision, Bombardier v Unifor, highlights how employers can overreach when assessing family status accommodation requests. Learn how to respect employee privacy while meeting legal obligations.

Rika Sawatsky
Oct 32 min read


Honouring Truth and Taking Action: Reflections on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is both a time of mourning and a call to action. This reflection explores how employers can respond to Call to Action #92 — starting with education, meaningful land acknowledgments, and creating safer, more equitable workplaces for Indigenous colleagues.

Rika Sawatsky
Sep 292 min read


Why Workplace Pregnancy Loss Policies Must Include Abortion
Many workplace pregnancy loss policies reference miscarriage and stillbirth but leave out abortion. This omission creates stigma, confusion, and harm. Here’s why inclusive policies matter—and how employers can take action.

Rika Sawatsky
Sep 292 min read


Context Matters: Rethinking Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
A recent HRTO decision found certain acts weren’t sexual harassment when viewed in isolation. But context reveals otherwise. Here’s why workplace harassment programs must focus on patterns, power, and control—not just individual incidents.

Rika Sawatsky
Sep 232 min read


Debunking the Top 5 Myths About Pay Transparency and the Gender Wage Gap
Employers often assume pay transparency laws aren’t needed—but common myths reveal why gaps persist. Here are the top 5 misconceptions about pay transparency and the gender wage gap, and how data can help fix them.

Rika Sawatsky
Sep 222 min read


Equal Pay Day: Why Legal Compliance Isn’t Enough
Equal Pay Day reminds us that closing the wage gap requires more than compliance with the law. From “greedy jobs” to systemic inequities, true progress comes from embedding fairness and flexibility into workplace design.

Rika Sawatsky
Sep 172 min read


Upwards Harassment: The Overlooked Gap in Workplace Policies
Workplace harassment isn’t always top-down. A recent BC Human Rights Tribunal case shows how leaders can face harassment from subordinates—and how employers fail when they don’t take these complaints seriously. Here’s why upwards harassment matters, and what organizations must do to address it.

Rika Sawatsky
Sep 172 min read
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