Meet Brian W. Whitfield MIR, Founder of WOI
Brian started his career in 1990 after completing his Masters Degree in Industrial Relations from the University of Toronto, a training program with the Ontario Ministry of Labour and a placement with Teamsters Local 419.
Since that time, he’s held labour relations positions with the Health Employers Association of BC, Canada Post Corporation, and the British Columbia Maritime Employers Association. In these positions, he handled thousands of grievances, Human Rights, Employment Standards, Labour Relations Board, civil court and safety complaints and investigations. These roles further involved training and often overlapped human resources and safety matters.
Subsequently, Brian was placed on the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service list of Arbitrators, Adjudicators, and Wage Recovery Appeals Referees, pursuant to the Canada Labour Code, and issued several reported decisions.
Brian has also been a director managing the internal operations of the largest film union in Canada for durations totaling over 14 years. During this time, he managed a workforce represented by two unions, excluded and management staff, and worked closely with four different elected Presidents. He had responsibility for administration, human resources, internal labour relations, projects, finance, information technology, privacy and assisted with internal legal matters. Brian introduced strategic planning to the organization and was involved in constitutional, executive and governance matters.
Following completion of Leadership, Coaching, Conflict Resolution and Mediation courses at the Justice Institute of British Columbia, launched Workplace Optimization Initiatives in 2020 commencing private work and joined the Canscott Management team.
With Canscott, Brian has successfully conducted a significant number of supervisory leadership training programs to numerous employers on over twenty topics essential to a leader’s success. Brian has also undertaken workplace investigation and conflict resolution work.
Brian’s personal time is focused on fitness, outdoor activities, spending time with family, supporting others, home improvement projects, and attempting to play his guitars.
WOI 