SERVICES

Investigations

Neutral. Fair. Trauma- and violence-informed.

Workplace investigations often begin in moments of real uncertainty. Allegations may be serious. Accounts may differ. Leaders must respond while the organization continues to operate.

I conduct investigations that bring clarity to complex situations. My work is grounded in procedural fairness, careful evidence review, and a practical understanding of how organizations function.

My role is to establish what occurred and provide findings leaders can rely on when the stakes are high.

a disciplined & fair process

A strong investigation requires more than gathering facts. It calls for structure, sound judgment, and careful process from beginning to end. I draw on over a decade of legal practice, including litigation experience, to conduct investigations with close attention to procedural fairness, credibility, and clear documentation.

My approach is trauma- and violence-informed. I recognize how stress, fear, and power dynamics can shape participation. This supports a process that is both rigorous and respectful while reducing unnecessary harm.

Participants are treated with clarity throughout. This protects the integrity of the investigation and supports reliable findings.

Want to go deeper?

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.

reading workplace dynamics clearly

Many workplace concerns involve more than disputed facts. Power differences, reporting lines, and organizational context often shape what happens and whether people feel able to come forward.

I bring particular depth to matters involving sexual harassment, gender-related concerns, and other sensitive situations where credibility requires careful interpretation.

This perspective supports findings that reflect both the evidence and the realities leaders must navigate.

Clear findings. Confident next steps.

An investigation should do more than establish what happened. It should give leaders the clarity they need to act.

I provide clear, well-reasoned findings that stand up to scrutiny and support informed decision-making.

How an investigation is conducted can shape what comes next. A steady process helps workplaces regain footing and move forward with greater certainty.

Leaders leave with a strong foundation for next steps and the confidence that the process was handled with care.

Rika is an incredibly smart and adaptive lawyer that excels in working with her clients to find creative solutions by using analytical approaches. Personally, it was a pleasure to work with Rika and I could not recommend her more highly!

BRANDON PARLETTE,

Senior counsel, Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development

Although we were on Zoom, the energy in the rooms was palpable. Your energy and facilitation style is so engaging. Your approach with the case studies was very effective in helping participants to think through and understand the more insidious forms of SH. I agree that this is an important - and much needed - area for workplaces to understand in more depth. I thought about this as key to prevention.

Research Partner

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Higher Education

Mennonite New Life Centre's Staff and Clients learned much from the teachings and guidance offered and would recommend to anyone. Rika is friendly and knowledgeable. Really knows her business.

Dwayne O'Connor

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Executive Director

Rika Sawatsky is smart and comes with impressive experience. At the same time, she is very respectful of the expertise of others. Rika is a natural collaborator and working with her helped me to see my own work from new perspectives. It’s the best kind of work experience.

Director

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Research Centre

Rika learned and applied the complex industrial terms and working procedures of our North American company incredibly quickly, all the while managing tight litigation timelines and multiple points of contact within our organization. Her personable nature and ability to explain legal concepts in plain language made her a joy to work with.

Labour Relations Manager

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Rail Industry

Rika is an excellent lawyer. She learns the complicated details of a case and finds creative solutions by building rapport with allied and opposing parties to come to a positive resolution for her clients.

Igor Gimelshtein

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CEO, Echelon Wellness

Rika is an excellent lawyer who pays attention to detail, has terrific writing skills, and is a wonderful person to work with. I highly recommend her for labour and employment matters.

John Stout

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Mediator/Arbitrator

I had the pleasure of working closely with Rika during her time with the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, where she drafted legislation, and provided oral and written advice to clients and senior officials. Rika is an incredibly smart and adaptive lawyer that excels in working with her clients to find creative solutions by using analytical approaches. Personally, it was a pleasure to work with Rika and I could not recommend her more highly!

Brandon Parlette

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Senior Counsel, Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training & Skills Development

Rika provided our public sector organization with expert representation on a number of complex legal matters, which led to highly successful outcomes. She provides intelligent insightful counsel and she has an unparalleled work ethic. Rika is able to pull on her wealth of knowledge and legal expertise while quickly comprehending the nuances of issues that are essential to problem solving. Rika is results driven and articulate in communications. From a client perspective, Rika is highly responsive and she demonstrates true caring.

John Hodgkinson

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Senior Manager, Employee & Labour Relations

Rika is a pleasure to work with! Her high level of organization and prompt communication is impressive, and her kindness proves she truly cares for her clients. I now feel confident about my client contract! Highly recommend!

Sara Froese

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Founder, All Sorts Press

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