WORKPLACE MEDIATION         HOW IT WORKS

Working with other people is not always easy and sometimes working relationships become strained, causing hurt and making it difficult to work together productively. Without intervention, conflicts will often escalate in a vicious spiral of reaction and counter-reaction. This can evoke powerful feelings which make it difficult for any of us to respond in a constructive way.

It can be very helpful to use a neutral person,  a mediator, to help those concerned to find a positive way forward. Mediation can make difficult conversations easier, and enable people to break the vicious circle without having to resort to more formal methods such as grievances and employment tribunals. It is based on supporting and rebuilding working relationships and can be used in disputes between individuals or teams, at any
level within an organisation.

Voluntary and Confidential
Mediation is not a substitute for performance management, and it’s not legally binding. It is a  voluntary process, and it’s confidential;  individuals can speak in confidence with mediators.

Parties make their own agreements
Mediators don’t offer advice or make decisions on behalf of the parties; the agreement is made by the parties themselves. This means people can devise an agreement that works for them.

For straightforward situations involving two parties, The Workplace Mediation Group can set up a mediation to take place on a single day. 
 
Our mediators meet with each party separately in the morning, and a joint meeting involving both parties takes place in the  afternoon. Once an agreement is made, we’ll make sure the parties have a copy and follow up with them. We keep the content of an agreement confidential, but we will advise HR that a meeting has taken place and whether an agreement was made.