About

Adrian David Francis Tees, BHK, MA

Qualified Arbitrator

Expertise

The following is a succinct snapshot of the expertise I bring to the practice of Alternative Dispute Resolution as they apply to labour and common law settings:

  • Accommodations: all protected grounds under the BC Human Rights Code

  • Behaviour + Performance Management

  • Collective Bargaining

  • Conflict Resolution: Formal and Informal Modalities

  • Compensation + Work Design

  • Discipline, Suspension + Dismissal

  • Employee Benefits + Total Rewards

  • Essential Services + Labour Disruption

  • Exclusions under the BC Labour Relations Code

  • Executive Compensation

  • Growth + Development

  • Hiring + Retention

  • Labour + Workforce Adjustments

  • Organizational Policy + Governance

  • Progressive Discipline

  • Severance of Employment: Design + Negotiation

  • Substance Use, Abuse + Dependence

  • Workplace Violence: Assessment, Investigation + Prevention

Experience

Experienced Conflict Resolution and Labour Relations professional with 20+ years dedicated to the HR profession. My current experience operating as a neutral includes work as the organizations Designated Officer in:

  • Harassment, Bullying and Discrimination – Organizational Policy + Various Legislation

    • 20+ years of experience in navigating serious complaints relating to workplace harassment, bullying, and discrimination as defined by the protected grounds in the BC Human Rights Code, and involves conflict coaching, mediating and investigating various types of complaint, including sexual harassment and lateral violence.

  • Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and Misconduct – Organizational Policy + the Sexual Violence and Misconduct Policy Act

    • 8 years of experience in navigating serious complaints relating to sexual and gender-based violence. This work required skillsets in conflict coaching, mediating and investigating, and often required active threat assessments while carrying out various interventions.

  • Safe Disclosure – Organizational Policy + the Public Interest Disclosure Act

    • 10+ years of experience in performing quasi-ombudsperson duties and responsibilities in investigating and mediating serious reports of wrongdoing under the University’s Safe Disclosure (Whistleblower) policy.

Furthermore, I am an experienced executive leader in the following relevant areas:

  • Labour Relations – Organizational Expert, BC Labour Relations Code

    • 20+ years of experience in representing an employer in matters pertaining to labour unions. My skills in this area include:

      • Lead negotiator for collective bargaining.

      • Negotiating labour settlements on behalf of the employer at the local level or through 3rd party mediation and arbitration.

      • Co-chairing labour management committees and developing mid-contract modifications.

  • Workplace Accessibility and Human Rights – Organizational Expert, BC Human Rights Code

    • 20+ years of experience in:

      • Investigating and mediating workplace accommodations between employees, labour groups and senior leadership.

      • Administering equity programs for employers and liaising with BC’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner.

      • Coaching and educating leaders and employees on their rights and responsibilities.

  • Privacy Officer – Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act

    • 10+ years of experience in overseeing the legislative requirements of the act. This often requires skilled investigation and mediation interventions when dealing with serious privacy breaches and when facilitating access requests to university information.

Education

  • Master of Philosophy, Art and Social Thought | 2019 | European Graduate School

  • Bachelor of Human Kinetics | 2003 | University of British Columbia

Training + Certifications

  • Collaborative Conflict Resolution in Advanced Mediation and Negotiations | 2024 | Justice Institute of BC

    • Conflict Coaching + Interest-Based Mediation + Interest-Based Negotiations

  • The Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of BC Arbitrator Training Course| 2024 | Royal Roads University

  • Violence Risk Assessment | 2016 | Protect International

  • Interest Based Labour Management | BC Labour Relations Board

  • Bargaining Academy | Post- Secondary Employers Association

  • Chief Negotiator Training | 2019 + 2022 | PreThink + Faculty Bargaining Services

Affiliation

  • Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of Canada (ADRIC)

  • Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute of British Columbia (ADRBC)

Cultural Competencies

  • San’yas Anti-Racism Indigenous Cultural Safety Training Program | 2019 | San’yas

  • Anti-Racism Workshop | 2021 | Canadian Race Relations Foundation

  • Four Seasons of Reconciliation | 2021 | First Nations University

Work History Snapshot

  • Associate Vice-President, Human Resources + Privacy Officer | Emily Carr University of Art + Design | July 2015 to Present

  • Director, Human Resources | Provincial Health Services Authority | April 2014 to July 2015

  • Manager, Human Resources Consulting Services | Provincial Health Services Authority | November 2013 to March 2014

  • Team Lead, Human Resources Consultant | Provincial Health Services Authority | March 2011 to Nov 2013

  • Human Resources Consultant | Provincial Health Services Authority | June 2007 to March 2011

  • Disability Management Specialist | Provincial Health Services Authority | February 2004 to June 2007

Diversity in Skill and Being

I am a proud member of the Vancouver LBGTQ2S+ community. I have worked to ground my practice respecting the diversity of the various ways in which we show up as human beings. From my early studies in health and wellness at the University of British Columbia, I am mindful of the deep connection that exists between the mind and body, and how we need to view individuals as their whole selves when we support their efforts to resolve conflict through restorative practices.

Disclosure

It is important to note that I remain employed by the Emily Carr University of Art + Design. My intention to transition into private ADR practice has been fully disclosed to the President + Vice-Chancellor of the university as per the university’s code of conduct. This transition will allow me to support effective succession planning at the university while growing my private practice over time. It will not interfere with my ability to accept work from individuals and organizations needing support with their alternative dispute resolution needs.