Canadian Workplace Culture & Communication

Description: A practical, scenario-based session designed to help newcomers, leaders, and teams understand the unspoken norms, cultural expectations, and subtle power dynamics that shape Canadian workplaces.

• 2 hours
• Synchronous Live Online Class
• Next: [Date TBD]
• English
• Max 30 participants  ( Min Class size 12)
• Zoom (link sent on registration)
• No prerequisites

Course description: Successfully navigating a Canadian workplace requires more than technical skills, it also means understanding the unwritten expectations that shape communication, teamwork, and professional relationships. Canadian workplaces run on a set of norms that are rarely written down and often invisible to anyone who did not grow up navigating them, from communication style and feedback culture to how hierarchy and inclusion actually play out day to day. This session gives newcomers, leaders, and teams the tools to recognize those dynamics and respond to them with confidence.

The workshop covers cultural humility versus tolerance, how to recognize prejudice, discrimination, and microaggressions, and North American communication and workplace norms. It also covers what to do when harm happens, both as a bystander and as the person affected, including documentation, escalation, and your rights under the Ontario Human Rights Code.

What you’ll learn:

• Recognize subtle bias and microaggressions in real workplace interactions
• Communicate effectively across cultural differences
• Intervene safely and support colleagues when harm occurs
• Advocate for yourself using practical, ready-to-use scripts
• Build healthier, more inclusive workplace interactions

Who should attend:

• Newcomers navigating Canadian work culture
• HR professionals and people leaders
• Teams committed to equity and inclusion
• Anyone wanting to communicate with cultural awareness and confidence

Facilitator: Anam Arabi. Therapist by training, HR strategist by experience, and an advocate for fairness and culturally informed workplaces.

Format: Interactive, discussion-based, delivered live online. Certificate provided upon full attendance.

Frequently asked questions:

How will I receive the Zoom link?
The Zoom link is sent directly to your email upon registration, along with any pre-session materials.

Will I receive a certificate?
Yes. A certificate of completion is provided upon full attendance of the live session.

Who should attend this workshop?
This workshop is designed for newcomers navigating Canadian work culture, HR professionals and people leaders, teams committed to equity and inclusion, and anyone wanting to communicate with cultural awareness and confidence.

What happens if I miss the live session?
Live sessions include Q&A with the facilitator, and a recording is available for 30 days after the session for anyone registered, so you won’t lose access if you can’t attend live.

Do I need any prior training to attend?
No. This session has no prerequisites and is designed to be accessible whether you are new to the Canadian workplace or supporting others who are.

What is the advantage of attending this session?
Understanding the unwritten rules of a workplace culture is often what separates smooth integration from ongoing friction, whether you are new to Canada or leading a team that is. This session gives you direct, practical tools you will not find in a standard onboarding package, led by a facilitator with both clinical and HR experience. Understanding these dynamics also strengthens how you present yourself when targeting interviews for leadership positions, since employers look for candidates who can navigate hierarchy, communication, and inclusion with genuine fluency, not just technical competence.

Can I book this for my team or organization?
Yes. Group and private team sessions are available. Contact us for group pricing.

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