Mediation Services
Workplace mediation can be highly effective remedy for workplace conflicts and disputes. It can be a cost and time efficient method of producing sustainable solutions. Mediation repairs the relationship for the parties involved and restores a healthier environment for all around who are affected by the conflict. Some areas where mediation may be suitable could include, conflict and disagreement between employees, conflict between manager and employee or allegations of bullying, harassment or discrimination.
LinkHR are able to provide you with a professional mediator. A mediator's role is to act as an impartial third party and facilitate a meeting between two or more people in dispute and to help them reach agreement.
Mediation is often more preferable than more legalistic processes in a number of ways and has the potential to
- improve the relationship between employees
- less stressful for all those involved
- avoid the costs in defending tribunal claims.
What happens in Mediation?
Usually, the mediator will talk to each party separately to establish their side of the story and to find out how and help the parties focus on what they want from the process. Participants will be encouraged to:
- recount their story and listen to that of the other party
- explore issues together and work to a mutually agreed solution
- build and write an agreement
The mediator will then bring the meetings to a close, provide a copy of the agreed statement to those involved and explain the responsibilities for implementation. In some cases if no agreement is reached then other procedures may be used to try and resolve conflict.
Confidentiality
All information shared during Mediation meetings remain confidential to those taking part, unless all parties agree to share actions or arrangement to their colleagues or managers to help the implementation of any plans.
When Mediation may not be appropriate
In some instances Mediation may not be suitable, such as:
- In cases of criminal activity or Disciplinary action
- Where discrimination case or harassment case is required to be investigated
- Where an individual suffers from mental health problems, severe stress which may be an obstacle to any joint meeting