Justia Connect Webinars Leading Through the "Sandwich" Crisis: A Conflict Triage for 2026

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Overview AI Webinar Summary

Leading Through the "Sandwich" Crisis: A Conflict Triage for 2026

Workplace conflict is rarely a simple personality clash; it is the predictable output of an outdated industrial architecture collapsing under modern, compressed operational pressures. Today's licensed professionals, middle managers, corporate executives, and small business owners belong to the 'Business Sandwich Generation,' a group sandwiched between the demands of clients, shareholders, or supervisors and the needs of the teams they manage. When these leaders break under multi-directional strain, they routinely execute poor, unfair, or biased internal investigations and take ineffective actions that turn minor friction into catastrophic employment lawsuits.

Led by New York employment attorney and workplace mediator Nance L. Schick, Esq., this webinar reframes workplace conflict from a personal failure into a structural system signal. Drawing from data and methodologies featured in her upcoming book, Unsustainable, this course shows law firm practice managers and legal counsel how to intervene early. Attendees will learn to implement a proactive conflict triage using the HAQ Standard (Humane, Affordable, Quick) to address root causes, protect corporate assets, and rebuild institutional trust. The course will also define the legal parameters of the 'Elegant Exit,' demonstrating how to structure an orderly separation as a protective last resort when systemic repair is no longer viable.

Duration of this webinar: 60 minutes

Originally broadcast: July 20, 2026 10:00 AM PT

Webinar Highlights

This webinar is divided into section summaries, which you can scan for key points and then dive into the sections that interest you the most.

00:00 The Business Sandwich Generation

Nance Schick, the speaker, discusses the concept of the 'business sandwich generation,' focusing on middle managers overwhelmed by competing demands. She discusses the need for proactive conflict resolution and system overhauls to manage workplace conflicts effectively. She introduces the concept of the 'elegant exit,' which involves parting ways with employees in a manner that maintains relationships and limits liability. Nance emphasizes the importance of recognizing systemic issues rather than attributing conflicts to individual failures. She stresses the need to go beyond compliance and consider the human elements in workplace disputes.

22:20 Investigation Missteps and Liabilities

Nance emphasizes the need to conduct and document fair and impartial investigations of workplace complaints. She describes common investigation missteps, such as relying on character witnesses instead of eyewitnesses. She discusses the implications of flawed investigations on the Faragher-Ellerth affirmative defense under federal law.

30:20 Retaliation and Workplace Conflict

Nance highlights retaliation as a common issue in workplace conflicts, exacerbated by stress and pressure on managers. She discusses the impact of defensive management, where managers treat employees differently due to complaints, leading to further conflicts. Nance emphasizes the importance of supporting managers to prevent defensive behaviors and retaliation claims. She discusses the financial costs of unresolved workplace conflicts, including talent drain and reduced productivity.

37:57 Improving Workplace Systems

Nance emphasizes the importance of trust in preventing employee attrition and fostering a positive work environment. She introduces the concept of proactive decompression, advocating for a partnership approach between employers and employees. She highlights the benefits of employee stock ownership plans in reducing turnover and increasing profitability. Nance stresses the importance of addressing internal biases and preserving individual dignity in conflict resolution. She explains the PARR method, emphasizing planning, acting, revising, and repeating to improve workplace systems.

Please note this AI-generated summary provides a general overview of the webinar but may not capture all details, nuances, or the exact words of the speaker. For complete accuracy, please refer to the original webinar recording.

Speaker

Nance Schick Employment Attorney and Mediator
Third Ear Conflict Resolution

Nance L. Schick, Esq. is a New York employment attorney, workplace mediator, and founder of Third Ear Conflict Resolution. With more than 20 years of experience, she advises organizations on workplace conflict, compliance, and the legal risks of emerging technologies, including algorithmic management and AI. Read More ›

Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Credits

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Alabama CLE

Status: Approved

Format: On-Demand

Credits: 1.00 General

Earn Credit Until: December 31, 2026

Alaska CLE

Status: Approved

Format: Live (Virtual), On-Demand

Credits: 1.00 General

Earn Credit Until: July 19, 2031

California CLE

Status: Approved

Format: Live (Virtual), On-Demand

Credits: 1.00 General

Earn Credit Until: June 30, 2028

Hawaii CLE

Status: Approved

Format: Live (Virtual), On-Demand

Credits: 1.00 General

Earn Credit Until: July 19, 2028

Illinois CLE

Status: Approved

Format: Live (Virtual), On-Demand

Credits: 1.00 General

Earn Credit Until: July 19, 2028

Ohio CLE

Status: Approved

Format: On-Demand

Credits: 1.00 General

Earn Credit Until: December 31, 2026

Pennsylvania CLE

Status: Approved

Format: On-Demand

Credits: 1.00 Substantive Law, Practice, and Procedure

Earn Credit Until: July 19, 2028

Vermont CLE

Status: Approved

Format: Live (Virtual), On-Demand

Credits: 1.00 General

Earn Credit Until: July 20, 2031

This presentation is approved for one hour of General CLE credit in Alabama, one hour of General CLE credit in Alaska, one hour of General CLE credit in California, one hour of General CLE credit in Hawaii, one hour of General CLE credit in Illinois, one hour of General CLE credit in Ohio, one hour of Substantive Law, Practice, and Procedure CLE credit in Pennsylvania, and one hour of General CLE credit in Vermont.

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