SERVICES

Training

Training that strengthens judgment across your organization.

training for real workplace decisions

Training matters most when people know what to do in the moments that carry risk: when something feels off, when a concern is raised, or when a leader must respond quickly.

My training strengthens the judgment people need to act with clarity and confidence. Sessions are participatory, practical, and grounded in the realities leaders face every day.

Participants leave better prepared to recognize issues early, respond appropriately, and support a workplace others can rely on.

sophisticated & practical

People learn best when they are actively involved. Sessions are built around discussion, scenario work, and practical problem-solving rather than passive instruction.

Before any session, I take time to understand your workplace, your pressures, and the challenges your leaders face. Training reflects real conditions rather than abstract ideals.

The result is an experience that is both exceptional and immediately useful, strengthening decision-making across the organization.

Want to go deeper?

When a “False Complaint” Isn’t the Point: What Workplace Policies Miss About Power and IPV

False sexual harassment complaints are rare—but warnings about them are common. This post explores an Alberta Tribunal case, the role of IPV, and why policy design must do better.

beyond the obvious

Many workplace programs focus on clearly inappropriate behavior. Yet some of the most harmful situations are less overt and harder to name.

Training explores how harassment, exclusion, and misconduct often appear in everyday interactions, including behavior shaped by power differences or gender dynamics.

Participants gain practical tools to recognize early signals, respond appropriately, and intervene in ways that support both safety and professionalism.

built for leaders

Workplace culture is shaped through daily decisions, often made under pressure. Strong leadership requires more than good intent. It requires sound judgment.

My training reflects both legal obligations and how workplace behavior actually unfolds. Leaders learn not only what the law requires, but how to respond in real situations with clarity and confidence.

Organizations gain leaders who are better equipped to handle difficult moments, support their teams, and act decisively when it matters.

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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