Lateral harm refers to patterns of harmful behaviours between colleagues such as exclusion, gossip, undermining, or withholding support, that can emerge within workplaces and teams. It is often understood as an interpersonal issue, something caused by difficult personalities, poor communication, or unresolved conflict. Yet similar patterns emerge across healthcare, social services, education, and other helping professions, suggesting that workplace harm is often shaped by the conditions in which people work.

This webinar is offered through an Indigenous lens, shaped by practice, learning, and experiences that explore lateral harm through organizational systems, psychosocial hazards, and psychological safety. Participants will examine how organizational conditions contribute to recurring patterns of conflict, criticism, burnout, and turnover.

Building on this foundation, we examine why certain environments can be particularly vulnerable to lateral harm. Practical strategies are grounded in Indigenous approaches that emphasize relationship, curiosity, and responsibility to the work. Participants will explore practical tools and guided self-inquiry to recognize organizational risk factors, navigate challenging workplace dynamics, advocate for conditions that support healthier teams, & reflect on how each of us can either reinforce or disrupt patterns of lateral harm.