Scott Tracze, Q.ARB
Ontario HR Consultant and Workplace Investigator
Q.ARB designation from the ADR Institute of Ontario. 15 years of Ontario and federal labour relations experience across private sector employers, public sector institutions, unions, and law firms. Based in Belleville, Ontario. Serving employers province-wide.
Scott Tracze, Q.ARB
The Q.ARB Designation
The Q.ARB designation is issued by the ADR Institute of Ontario to practitioners who have demonstrated the knowledge and competency required to conduct arbitration proceedings -- the quasi-judicial process used in labour relations, commercial disputes, and increasingly in workplace investigations.
In the context of workplace investigations, Q.ARB means that Scott Tracze conducts and reports investigations to the procedural and evidentiary standards that an arbitrator or HRTO adjudicator reviewing the file would expect to see. Balance of probabilities analysis, credibility assessment methodology, procedural fairness at each stage, and a written report that can withstand scrutiny in subsequent proceedings.
Most independent workplace investigators do not hold an arbitral designation. The Q.ARB designation is rare enough in HR practice that it represents a specific and meaningful differentiator for employers who need an investigation report that can withstand tribunal review.
Career
15 years of Ontario and federal labour relations and HR experience across private sector employers, public institutions, a national law firm, and a union. The range of perspective -- employer side, union side, law firm, regulator -- is not typical in HR consulting, and it produces different advice.
Caley Wray Labour and Employment Lawyers
HR and Labour RelationsFirsthand exposure to how arbitrators and HRTO adjudicators evaluate investigation reports -- what holds up and what gets torn apart. Every investigation Scott conducts is built to survive that same scrutiny.
WSP Canada
HR LeadershipLed HR for a national engineering firm with thousands of employees across multiple provinces. Complex workforce, high-stakes employee relations, and the pressure of a publicly accountable organization.
Upper Canada District School Board
Labour RelationsCollective bargaining, grievance management, and arbitration in one of the largest public sector union environments in Eastern Ontario. Negotiating at the table, not advising from the sidelines.
SEIU Healthcare
Labour RelationsLabour relations from the union side. Understanding how union counsel, grievance chairs, and arbitrators think is not something learned from textbooks -- and it is unusual on the employer-side of HR consulting.
Practice Focus
Workplace Investigations
Independent investigations into harassment, discrimination, and misconduct allegations. Procedurally sound, defensible reports built to Q.ARB arbitral standards.
Labour Relations
Collective bargaining, grievance management, arbitration preparation, and collective agreement interpretation. Ontario and federal jurisdiction.
Accommodation
Duty to accommodate under the Ontario Human Rights Code. Medical, disability, family status, and religious accommodation -- from initial request through documentation and undue hardship analysis.
Compliance
ESA, OHSA, OHRC, and AODA compliance audits. Policy drafting anchored to current legislative requirements. Ministry of Labour inspection preparation.
What HR and Legal Professionals Say
Scott’s knowledge of labour law and expertise in arbitration is outstanding. His ability to navigate complex workplace disputes with professionalism and fairness is exceptional. I have worked with Scott on a number of HR and labour relations matters and have always been impressed by his very thorough knowledge and his ability to understand and resolve complex situations.
Scott demonstrates remarkable integrity and a calm demeanour when handling sensitive workplace matters. His mediation and arbitration skills have been invaluable. Scott’s highest integrity and ethics make him uniquely qualified to handle workplace disputes and HR matters at the highest level.
Get in touch.
Initial consultations are free and confidential. Scott Tracze will assess your situation and tell you directly what is needed and what it will cost.