When a workplace crisis hits, whether it is a senior executive acting inappropriately, a culture problem that has spiraled out of control, strained labour relations with union leadership, or a high-profile harassment complaint, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in Ontario often face enormous challenges. Unlike large corporations, smaller organizations typically do not have in-house legal or HR teams equipped to handle complex crises.
That is where Seabrook Workplace Law (SWL) comes in.
Based in Ontario, our team of lawyers, workplace investigators and HR/labour relations consultants helps organizations of all sizes, particularly small and mid-sized employers, navigate workplace crises with a combination of legal expertise, HR insight, and practical strategy. We bring calm, structure, and sound solutions to situations that can otherwise overwhelm a business. Additionally, we are linked to a vast network of professionals with specialized expertise in everything from private investigations to change management, allowing us to tackle every challenge, twist, and turn that rears its head as the crisis unfolds.
What Effective Workplace Crisis Management Looks Like
Every crisis is unique, but success always depends on an integrated, well-planned approach that brings together communication, legal compliance, HR strategy, and leadership support.
1. Strategic and Careful Communication
In moments of crisis, how you communicate with employees, customers/clients, funders, or the public can make or break trust, create or avoid a PR nightmare, and escalate or de-escalate conflict. We help employers craft communication strategies that are clear, compliant, and aligned with their values. We have expertise in crafting communications to navigate every stage of a crisis internally. We also have the necessary experts in our network to step in and address external communications when the crisis spills over in the public domain.
2. Comprehensive Review and Investigation Planning
Whether it involves executive misconduct, workplace harassment, or financial irregularities, understanding the facts is critical. SWL designs tailored investigation strategies, including internal and external workplace investigations, in-depth culture reviews and workplace assessments and, when necessary, private investigations into misconduct. Our goal is to uncover the facts with fairness, thoroughness and integrity, and provide actionable answers.
3. HR Expertise and People Management
A crisis affects people first. Our HR consultants have handled workplace crises of all kinds from the inside. Our lawyers have guided clients from the outside as they navigate the most complex situations they have ever faced. Together, our team provides steady guidance to manage employee/labour relations, maintain morale, and handle sensitive workplace matters with fairness and respect.
4. Legal Guidance and Risk Management
Crisis situations often raise complex legal issues, including employment and human rights law, governance, health & safety and compliance concerns. Our lawyers provide strategic, practical advice so that every action taken protects the organization and aligns with Ontario workplace laws.
4. Alternative Dispute Resolution and Workplace Restoration
Many workplace crises can be addressed effectively through alternative dispute resolution (ADR) before they escalate into legal disputes. Our team includes skilled mediators and ADR practitioners who help organizations navigate conflict through facilitated dialogue, mediation, coaching, and workplace restoration techniques. We focus on resolving issues efficiently and respectfully, preserving relationships while restoring functionality and trust within teams.
5. Union Relations and Labour Expertise
Unionized environments bring their own complexities, especially during times of conflict or crisis. Our lawyers and HR professionals have extensive experience working with Ontario employers and union representatives/leadership in unionized workplaces, helping them manage grievances, interpret collective agreements, and maintain constructive relationships. We understand the intricate balance between protecting management rights and fostering collaboration with labour partners. Having gained experience in the most complex of union environments, and having navigated extreme crises within these environments, we are equipped to assist unionized organizations of all sizes.
6. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Expertise
A crisis response that lacks a DEI lens risks missing the full picture. Our DEI partners ensure that every step of the process, from communication and investigation to decision-making and recovery, reflects a fair, inclusive, and equity-informed approach. This lens helps organizations avoid further harm, build credibility, and ensure that the response aligns with their values and obligations under Ontario’s human rights framework.
7. Restorative and Change Management Support
Recovery does not end when the immediate crisis is over. Our restorative workplace experts and change management consultants help organizations repair relationships, rebuild culture, and strengthen systems to prevent future issues. We guide leadership teams through structured processes that promote dialogue, accountability, and learning, supporting a genuine return to stability and trust across the organization. Once a crisis is contained, lasting recovery depends on strong follow-through.
Examples of Crises We Have Helped Ontario Employers Manage
- Executive misconduct and misuse of company funds
- Harassment and discrimination complaints that became public before formal reporting
- Organizations on the brink of collapse due to loss of trust in leadership
- Widespread employee misconduct, theft, or abuse of expense privileges
- Executives secretly running competing businesses and poaching clients
- Escalating union-management conflict and extensive grievance lists
- Internal conflicts of interest among senior leaders
- Hostile work environments driven by harassment or abuse of authority
- COVID-19 outbreak at a large-scale, multi-day event with employees, guests and clients
- Navigating conflict between senior leadership and Board of Directors
- Hostile conflict among members of the Board of Directors
- Hostile conflict between members of the Board of Directors and the senior leadership team
- Intricate unionized environments with employer-union relations and employee relations on the brink of collapse
- Sexual harassment allegations against senior executives
The Seabrook Workplace Law Difference
At SWL, we believe that workplace crisis management is not just about putting out fires. It is about guiding organizations toward stability, accountability, and long-term resilience.
Our integrated team of lawyers, HR professionals, workplace and private investigators, communications experts, dispute resolution specialists, DEI advisors, restorative workplace facilitators, and change management consultants offers a one-stop solution for Ontario employers who need comprehensive support.
When the stakes are high and your organization’s integrity is on the line, SWL provides the calm, direction, and expertise to help you move forward.
