Duty to Inquire

Local government managers in the NWT have a legal and human responsibility to notice when an employee may be struggling and to ask caring, appropriate questions. This is the Duty to Inquire. It helps you open a respectful conversation, protect privacy, and connect people to support—before performance or safety issues escalate. Grounded in northern realities and guided by Dene Laws and Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit, this course shows you how to recognize when the duty applies, start the conversation safely, document your steps, and work with HR and other supports to accommodate in good faith. By the end, you’ll know what to say, what to record, and what to do next—so your team feels seen, safe, and supported.