Workplace Mediation

Are two of your staff having a clash of personalities?

Has there been a breakdown in the working relationship within your business between a manager and a staff member?

Are you trying to settle a dispute and avoid a costly tribunal claim?

Is there a dispute between the Directors?

As a member of the International Mediation Institute, we are able to offer workplace mediation to businesses within Alderley Edge, Wilmslow, Cheadle, Bramhall and surrounding areas.

What is mediation?

Mediation is a voluntary, informal approach to dispute resolution which is intended to avoid the stress, cost and long delays of more formal methods including disciplinary and grievance procedures and tribunal claims. It involves an impartial third party (the mediator) facilitating a process during which the parties can express their views aswell as hear and understand the other parties views in a controlled manner and reach an agreed outcome as a result.

When is workplace mediation appropriate?

• To avoid formal processes such as disciplinary or grievance
• As part of an outcome to an employee grievance or disciplinary process
• Where there is a personality clash between two or more employees
• To rebuild a damaged relationship within the workplace
• To address a breakdown in communication
• To settle a dispute before it goes to an Employment Tribunal

The benefits of workplace mediation:

• Confidential – mediation conversations are confidential, meaning the details of the dispute are not openly disclosed, even if the mediation is unsuccessful. The parties are therefore able to openly discuss the matters that are important to them in a safe environment.
• Timely – mediation can speed up the dispute resolution process by focussing on the core of the dispute and helping the parties to reach a solution that meets their needs.
• Success rate – mediation has an extremely high success rate. The fact that the parties themselves are in control of the solution means that it is more likely to be successful than formal grievance or disciplinary proceedings or tribunal proceedings.
• Cost savings – the costs caused by a dispute in terms of lost productivity, disruption, management time and even resignations and tribunal claims can be extortionate. Mediation is an extremely cost effective, alternative way to resolve a workplace dispute.
• Independent – a mediator is a neutral third party who does not judge or take sides. Their role is to facilitate the process, enabling the parties to reach an outcome that they are comfortable with.
• Reduce stress – mediation is informal and therefore can be much less stressful for both parties than formal procedures and legal proceedings.
• Voluntary – there is no obligation on either party to enter into mediation, and either party may disengage from the process at any time.

Possible outcomes of mediation:

Another benefit of mediation is that the outcome is determined by the parties, with the assistance of the mediator. This is as opposed to most other formal proceedings where the outcome often rests with one person (either a chairperson or a judge). The range of outcomes of mediation is therefore wide and could include for example:

• Agreement to change behaviours / conduct
• An apology from one or both parties
• Acknowledgement of the other party’s views
• Settlement agreement
• Financial compensation
• Contractual or policy changes

Fees:

To find out more about our mediation fees, please email us at wilmslow@hrdept.co.uk or give us a call on 0162 5460 694