An independent, accredited adult in the room: not a sales process.
For HR Directors and Heads of people & culture
When the complaint is bigger than the framework
An independent ombuds, mediator and culture partner for the moments your usual channels can’t safely hold.
You know the situation. The complaint that does not quite fit the policy. The executive behaviour your team cannot be the ones to call out. The positive-duty audit the executive sponsor needs but no one wants to own. The culture that the board wants an outside view on. EquipMe Coaching & Consulting is the outside view
When HR teams pick up the phone
When the complaint exceeds the policy
A grievance that touches a senior leader, a director or a relationship the internal process cannot impartially hold. We provide confidential, off-the-record ombuds support to surface the real issue and chart the next move – without escalating prematurely.
When positive duty is biting
The Sex Discrimination commissioner’s positive duty obligations are now being actively monitored. We help HR teams build the assurance evidence: culture audits, leadership readiness, conflict-handling capability, that satisfies the board and stands up to regulator scrutiny.
When the board has asked for a culture review
An independent culture review that the board can read, the exec can act on, and HR can use to shape the next twelve months of work. Anonymised, evidence-based, written for governance audiences.
When you need confidential triage
Our ombuds services provide a confidential first point of contact for employees navigating complex workplace concerns. Unlike traditional wellbeing or counselling services, the focus is on early intervention, workplace risk identification and informed resolution, helping organisations address issues before they become formal grievances or legal disputes.
When DEI needs to become a practice, not a policy
Cultural audits, inclusive leadership programs, facilitated team conversations – the work that turns the inclusion statement into something the team actually experiences.
How we work with HR
We are not a replacement for your function. We’re an extension of it. We sit alongside your processes, not above them, not in conflict with them. Where an ombuds engagement is right, we hold a confidential, off-the-record space; where mediation is right, we run a structured neutral process; where leadership coaching is right, we work with individual leaders inside your succession plan.
What we don’t do: investigations. We’re an early-intervention, sense-making, capability-building partner, not a forensic finder of fact. We can recommend investigators when that’s the right path.
What you get from an EquipMe Coaching & Consulting engagement
Janet Vantriet
Founder & Principal
Credentialed where it counts
Janet Vantriet is one of Australia’s few Certified Organisational Ombuds (IOA). She’s an AMDRAS-accredited mediator, ICF-certified coach, CAHRI-certified senior HR professional, and holds an MBA in Human Resources Management. The full list sits on the About page.
Ready to lead with advocacy: Three ways to start a conversation
Download the Conduct Risk Snapshot
A short diagnostic, written for HR teams, to help you locate which conduct and culture risks are most exposed in your current setup.
Have a 15 min orientation call
Confidential scoping conversation. Bring your situation; we will tell you whether we are the right fit and what the next step is – whether it is working with us or pointing you elsewhere.
Brief Janet
If you already know what you need. Tell us the situation; we will come back within one working day.