Catherine Burr

Areas of special expertise include:

• conflict management, mediation and negotiation
• investigation of workplace harassment/bullying, violence and discrimination complaints
• workplace harassment, bullying and discrimination policy development, training and audits
• employment equity, workplace diversity and human rights,
• performance management including dealing with poor performance, coaching and motivation, discipline, giving and receiving criticism, dealing with defensiveness and difficult people,
• team and group effectiveness,
• leadership, management development, supervisory training.

Catherine teaches in the Local Government Program at Western University (MPA and Diploma Programs). Since 1991 Catherine has taught graduate and undergraduate courses including human resources management, human relations in the workplace, organizational behaviour and local government management, as well as numerous professional development workshops and courses. In the past, she had held line, staff and senior management positions in several organizations including the Canadian and Ontario Human Rights Commissions.

Since 1990, Catherine has her own human resources management consultancy firm, assisting organizations in the private, public and non-profit sectors in London and across Canada to more effectively manage people, performance, change and conflict. Catherine works with a wide variety of clients, including:

Private/corporate sector: Cadbury, Co-Operators Insurance, London Machinery, Siemens VDO, DDM Plastics, Industrial Accident Prevention Association, Meridian Technologies, BCTGM- Local 154-G (Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco Workers & Grain Millers at Kellogg, London), Bombardier Transportation, Teamsters Canada Rail Conference Division 660.

Public/government sector: RCMP, City of Toronto, City of London, Norfolk County, Woolwich Township, Brant County, Loyalist Township, East Zorra-Tavistock Township, Kingston Public Health Unit, Middlesex London Health Unit. Ontario Hydro, London Hydro, Oxford County EMS, Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, Kettle Creek Conservation Authority, Upper Thames Valley Conservation Authority, Grand River Conservation Authority, Ontario Ministry of Labour, Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, London District Catholic School Board, Wellington Catholic District School Board, University of Toronto, University of Saskatchewan, The University of Western Ontario, Laurentian University, St. Jerome’s University, Wilfrid Laurier University, Carleton University, University of Waterloo, York University, University of Winnipeg, King’s University College, Huron College, Fanshawe College, OPSEU, Confederation of Ontario University Staff Associations & Unions, Queen’s University Faculty Association, University of Western Ontario Staff Association, University of Western Ontario Faculty Association, Queen’s University Faculty Association, Canadian Organization of Faculty Association Staff, OCUFA (Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations), Dufferin-Peel Educational Resource Workers Association, Neighbourhood Legal Services (London Middlesex), Legal Aid Ontario, The Office of the Employment Equity Commissioner of Ontario, Walpole Island First Nation, AMCTO (Association of Municipal Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario), OACCTA (Ontario Association of County Clerks, Treasurers and Administrators), London Middlesex Housing Corporation.

Non-profit: Placement Co-ordination Services, Senior Planning Council of Perth County, Elgin Community Care Access Centre, Early Childhood Education Association, Alice Saddy Association, Ontario March of Dimes, Life*Spin, Let’s Talk Science, Sunshine Foundation, Community Living Elgin, Norfolk Association for Community Living, Community Living London, Lambton County Developmental Services, Vanier Children's Services, Children’s Aid Society of Oxford County, New Frontiers, YMCA-YWCA London, Institute of Housing Management, Mainstay Housing, Shelternet, London Cross Cultural Learners Centre, Sexual Assault Centre London, Crouch Neighbourhood Resource Centre, Family Services Thames Valley, Across Languages, Western Area Youth Services, Central Community Health Services, Crouch Neighbourhood Resource Centre.

Catherine has a Master of Industrial Relations degree (human resources management and labour relations) from the University of Toronto. She is a community research associate with the Centre for Research and Education on Violence Against Women & Children, and a member of the International Association on Workplace Bullying & Harassment.

She is a Collaborator in a SSHRC-funded (2015-2018) research project titled “Partnering to Prevent Workplace Bullying and Mistreatment Using International and Integrative Perspectives”, led by Professor Karen Harlos, University of Winnipeg and involving collaboration across 7 academic institutions (4 across Canada, 3 in UK and Europe) and 4 partner organizations/large employers/unions in Canada.

Catherine is lead author (with Anne Wyatt, Australia) of a chapter addressing complaint investigation of workplace harassment and bullying in the forthcoming Handbooks of Workplace Bullying, Emotional Abuse and Harassment, Volume 3: Promoting dignity and inclusion (to be published in 2019 by Springer).

Contact Catherine Burr at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.