Kathryn Schear

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kathryn Schear
M.A. in Conflict Resolution

P.O. Box 795
Larkspur, CA 94977

Tel: 415-567-7541
Fax: 415-440-5661
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Kathryn Schear

Kathryn Schear, owner and principal of Work It Out Dispute Resolution Services, has an M.A. in Conflict Resolution and is a former EEOC mediator who mediated over 500 EEOC cases of alleged discrimination.  She has worked with Fortune 500 companies, large nationally recognized universities, non-profits, and city and state government entities and has trained management in handling "Difficult Conversations" with one another as well as with those they supervise

Work It Out Dispute Resolution Services offers a pragmatic results-oriented approach to resolving internal employee conflicts, training in conflict resolution, and team building for employees and managers with destructive interpersonal conflicts.  Kathryn’s approach to resolving “simmering pot” situations before they significantly impact employee morale can save your organization both time and legal fees.

Many people have difficulties resolving workplace conflict.  These unresolved conflicts are very costly for organizations because of wasted management time, turnover, absenteeism, grievances, EEOC charges, and lawsuits.  

With Kathryn’s help your organization can transform employee interactions into creative and constructive engagements, replacing the costly and destructive battles that can sabotage workplace effectiveness. Organizations can then use conflict to their advantage to boost creativity and enhance decision making.

Many employees perceive Human Resources and EEO Managers as employer representatives. Rather than seek their advice, employees will often leave prematurely, turn off, go out on extended leave or sabotage the workplace.

A contracted dispute resolution option with a professional mediator provides an additional alternative to the Human Resources, EEO, and Union grievance processes.  Team building with a focus on conflict management can be a very effective way for employers to develop organizational conflict competence.  

How much time are managers spending resolving their employees’ conflicts?  Some statistics have shown it can be as high as 80%.  Can an organization “afford” to say that they don’t have the money to address their employees’ conflicts?  Not really.

Kathryn’s extensive training and experience in Conflict Resolution makes her well suited for assisting employers with their organizational needs including:
  • Providing coaching and team building for employees and managers with
    destructive interpersonal conflicts
  • Mediating workplace disputes
  • Designing internal dispute resolution programs
  • Conducting skill-based Conflict Resolution training
  • Conducting sensitive exit interviews
  • Facilitating group meetings and brainstorming sessions
  • Working with individuals and employers when medical accommodations have been
    requested
  • Providing consultation to employers and attorneys either scheduled for an
    EEOC mediation, or considering participation in that process

 

Testimonial
"My experience and interaction with Mediator Kathryn Schear was difficult, personally challenging, self-revealing, sometimes uncomfortable and ultimately rewarding. All of this created a hugely different path to a higher level of understanding of my leadership role and the interpersonal communication skills needed on both a professional and personal level. During mediation I was able to achieve a shift in perspective which eventually helped me reach a consensus with my fellow leaders." 

-Stan Kiino, Association of Flight Attendants-CWA Vice President, United Airlines, Local Council 11

 

Previous Speaking Engagements

  • Skipping the EEOC:  Managing Workplace Conflict for the Northern
    California HR Association

  • Pre-litigation Mediation Labor and Employment Section Luncheon Programs
    for the Alameda and San Mateo County Bar Associations