Benard + Associates Inc.
We are conflict management strategists helping clients prevent and resolve conflict through unique yet complementary services. Our three divisions provide our clients with a full range of options and solutions.
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Benard + Associates was built on the philosophy that focusing on what we do well, and being the best at what we do, will set us apart from the rest. We have stuck to this philosophy and many years later we still focus on two key areas of specialty:
Regulatory Investigations
We conduct investigations into allegations of professional misconduct, incompetence, incapacity, and illegal practice for the vast majority of Ontario’s professional regulators as well as many across Canada.
Regulatory Complaints Resolution
Investigation is not always the answer. Our team of mediators assist clients in resolving issues and finding solutions to conflict. We also provide team building programs to assist small and medium sized teams to improve their relationships, efficiency, and productivity by eliminating or minimizing obstacles that harm the team dynamic.
Decision Writing Services
At Benard + Associates, we understand the critical importance of clear, concise, and well-reasoned decisions in professional regulation. Our experienced decision writers craft detailed decision documents that capture the committee’s reasoning, ensuring they align with applicable legislation, regulatory standards, and best practices.
Workplace Investigations
Our team of workplace investigators handle cases involving allegations of harassment, bullying, discrimination – including alleged human rights violations, and violence in all types of workplaces. They also perform workplace assessments to assist in identifying the root cause of conflict or tension in a workplace.
Workplace Dispute Resolution
Benard + Associates offer a full range of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services that can assist parties in resolving their disputes. Workplace mediation is our particular specialty including such issues as return to work negotiations, interpersonal workplace conflict, team disputes, wrongful dismissal allegations, and labour management disputes such as grievances.
Digital Forensics Professional Regulatory Matters
In today’s digital age, regulatory investigations often hinge on uncovering the truths hidden in the virtual world. At Benard + Associates, our certified digital forensic experts specialize in analyzing tampered records, verifying compliance breaches, and retrieving critical evidence to support professional oversight. From tracing unauthorized access to recovering data from computers, laptops, tablets, and phones, we bring precision and expertise to uncover key evidence. Our dedicated forensics division caters exclusively to the unique demands of professional regulators, ensuring tailored, reliable support that upholds the highest standards of accountability and public trust.
Digital Forensics in Workplace Dispute Matters
In today’s digital workplaces, disputes often leave a trail in the virtual environment. At Benard + Associates, our certified digital forensic experts specialize in resolving issues such as workplace harassment, data theft, and misconduct. We extract, analyze, and present key evidence from devices like computers, laptops, tablets, and phones to uncover digital communication patterns, retrieve deleted files, or trace unauthorized activities. Our dedicated forensics division ensures a fair, thorough, and discreet investigation process, helping organizations address disputes effectively and maintain a culture of trust and integrity.
Investigation Training
We offer customized investigation training programs for organizations and online programs for individuals. We help you enhance your investigation skills. This includes regulatory bodies looking to enhance all or some of the skill sets and approaches their teams take to investigating complaints and reports, and companies or organizations looking to enhance their workplace investigations ability. Our custom programs cover the full spectrum of investigation processes and strategies. We also offer specialized programs that focus on specific aspects of investigation. Note - we do not provide investigator training for the purpose of obtaining a private investigation license.
Anti-Harassment Training
The issue of harassment and sexual harassment is a serious concern that has a massive impact on peoples' safety and psychological wellbeing. While this issue isn’t new, there is a continued growth of this issue. A greater onus is on employers to prevent harassment of all kinds. It isn’t good enough to react to events after the fact. We must challenge the status quo and educate everyone on the issues and how to address them and prevent them. We have been ahead of the curve on these topics for many years with our exceptional programs and workshops.
Conflict Resolution Workshops
We assist managers, human resources professionals, and union leaders to enhance their ability to identify, prevent, and resolve conflict. From the fundamentals of conflict resolution, to more advanced training in mediation and facilitation, we assist people in refining and developing confidence to intervene and assist people to finding the resolution to their conflicts and disputes.
Communication Workshops
At the heart of conflict we typically see issues with communication. We offer communication workshops that will give people the tools they need to have those difficult conversations and learn how to address problems or perceived problems before they grow into complex issues.