What is mediation and when is it used?
Mediation is a voluntary, interactive process, whereby a neutral, third party mediator, assists the parties in resolving disputes
Mediation can be used at any point throughout a conflict to re-establish connections, discuss any misunderstandings, provide an opportunity to make changes and move forward. Mediation offers the advantage of preventing a dispute from escalating. It is better to resolve the dispute in the early stages as an early intervention measure.
Mediation can also be effective when a manager is not in a good position to deal with a conflict. Situations such as this could include, when they are involved in the dispute itself, when they are not impartial, or if they don’t have the skills and expertise to deal with a dispute.
Benefits of Mediation in the workplace
Mediation helps individuals in conflict, to have open, constructive dialogue, that would otherwise be difficult or problematic. It:
- Encourages helpful, respectful communication and the development of cooperative partnerships.
- Assists in reducing further deterioration of a working relationship.
- Assist the parties in comprehending and empathising with one another’s feelings and situations.
- Provides an opportunity to understand the past and the source of the conflict, then be future focussed, through ‘problem-solving’ and reality testing the suggestions, to arrive at a solution that each party believes is achievable and fair.
- Assist participants in developing the abilities they will need, to deal with workplace problems on their own in the future.
- Avoids more formal processes, such as grievance and discipline procedures and employment tribunals.
- Allows everyone involved to have control of what’s finally agreed.
- Sends a positive message to the staff that the organisation is invested in assisting staff navigate a way through times of conflict and broken relationships.
- By assisting employees in times of dispute, this may result in retaining valuable employees.
- It is a confidential and private process and can occur relatively quickly.
Mediation outcomes are decided by everyone involved and can be flexible.
Mediation outcomes might include:
- An acknowledgement of each party’s perspective
- A commitment to modify behaviour
- A commitment to examine the agreement made, on a frequent basis
- An agreement to review policies and procedures
- An agreement to share work more evenly and assign more responsibility
- Ways to move forward and be future focused
What is the Mediation process?
1. Contact the Mediator and advise of dispute.
2. Initial consult – Private one on one conversation with the mediator, to discuss the issue from an individual’s point of view.
3. Joint Session – The mediation is held and an outcome is reached.
4. Outcome Document – The agreed outcomes are distributed to the agreed parties/stakeholders.
Please note: We cannot guarantee a successful outcome, but will collaborate to find the best resolution in situations such as these.
Mediation Service
The Mediation Package includes the services below:
- Private consultations (up to an hour and a half per party)
- Joint Session – face to face, or zoom if required (up to 4 hours)
- Coordinating with both parties to book the Private Consultations, Joint Session and signing of the Agreement to Mediate.
- Preparation & distribution of the Outcome Document to agreed parties/stakeholders
For other services and packages, contact us today.