Your HR department
Workplace Mediation – effective conflict resolution
Workplace mediation is an increasingly popular and effective way for organisations to resolve workplace disputes, preventing misunderstandings escalating into formal, lengthy and costly disputes. It also provides the support needed for individuals to agree solutions and rebuild their working relationships, improving performance within the team and reducing the likelihood of exits.
Confusion, difficulties and interpersonal conflicts inevitably arise within any workplace, causing stress and upset for both the individuals involved and the teams around them, and damaging the business in terms of performance, productivity and morale.
If not addressed, disputes can fester and escalate, potentially leading to grievance and disciplinary procedures or even employment tribunal claims. Tackling such situations early and constructively, in a less formal setting, saves time and money – which is why we are huge advocates of workplace mediation.
Deal with issues early
Provide a less formal process
Support both parties
Rebuilding working relationships through agreed ways of working together, identifying training needs for future development
Reduce stress
As a shorter and less formal process, involving fewer people, workplace mediation is less likely to cause stress
Save time and money
Sorting out issues early saves time and money, avoiding lengthy formal procedures and expensive ET claims
More forward positively
Though a confidential and supportive process, delivering not just compliant but recognised best practice conflict resolution.
When to use workplace mediation
- At any early stage, prior to or as an alternative to formal disciplinary or grievance procedures
- To rebuild working relationships after a formal disciplinary or grievance process
- In cases of bullying, harassment or discrimination, or unfair treatment
- To resolve communication problems between a manager and an employee, or where the relationship has broken down
- To help build working relationships where a personality clash has arisen
How does workplace mediation work?
- Pick up the phone to find out whether workplace mediation is the best approach for your specific case
- Complete our mediation referral form which gives us the details we need to take mediation forward
- Our mediator will arrange to meet with each party separately.
- Our mediator will facilitate a joint meeting, supporting the parties to talk and understand different perspectives with a view to completing a mediation agreement which forms the basis of their new working relationship.