Workplace Mediation
Workplace mediation focuses on trying to fix or mend relationships in circumstances where they have become strained and/or have broken down.
WHAT DOES WORKPLACE MEDIATION INVOLVE
Mediation involves taking up an impartial approach. Taking sides doesn’t help.
Experience has taught us that the most effective and successful approach is for the mediator to focus all of their time, effort, and attention on trying to understand all of the relevant positions and then use that knowledge to help the individuals involved to arrive at a workable solution or outcome that everyone can sign up to and more importantly that can be adhered to.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF WORKPLACE MEDIATION?
Mediation can be a quick and ultimately a cost-effective way to deal with workplace disputes and disagreements. Mediation typically involves a less formal approach and that can help to stop individual positions becoming further polarised and entrenched.
In order to work, participation needs to be voluntary. The mediator’s sole focus is on working with the individuals involved in order to understand the issues and encourage them to find the 'middle ground'. Again, experience has taught us that the earlier mediation is attempted the better.
The collaborative, empathetic and problem-solving approach used in mediation can help avoid the risk or situations and relationships deteriorating and this in turn can lessen the prospect of employers having to deal with lengthy and time-consuming grievances, employee resignations and ultimately Employment Tribunal claims.
WHEN CAN WORKPLACE MEDIATION BE USED?
Workplace mediation can be used in numerous situations but the types of situations, but we find that it can be particularly effective in the following situations:
instead of formal grievance or disciplinary procedures.
disputes relating to contracts of employment and pay.
supporting individuals rebuild damaged workplace relationships (often but not always in the aftermath of a formal grievance process.
where there have been allegations of harassment and/or workplace bullying.
WHAT OUTCOMES CAN WORKPLACE MEDIATION ACHIEVE?
There’s no formulaic or pre-determined outcome in mediation and our workplace mediators use the knowledge, skills and experience garnered over years of practicing as specialist Employment Lawyers to think creatively about the particular dispute of disagreement their mediating and helping the individuals concerned find the solution or outcome that works.
Typically, mediated outcomes involve one or more of the following:
individuals acknowledging other people’s position and views (albeit not necessarily agreeing with them).
an acknowledgment that in order to move forwards it’s sometimes important to draw a line in the sand.
a plan or strategy to prevent future deteriorations or disagreements.
a commitment to a change in behaviour.
updating existing workplace policies or procedures and/or implementing new ones.
IS WORKPLACE MEDIATION CONFIDENTIAL?
Yes, in order to work mediation needs to be voluntary and confidential. Our mediators agree with everyone involved whether information can be shared outside the mediation and if so how. If agreement cannot be reached, then anything that’s been said during the mediation must be kept confidential and cannot be used in future workplace procedures.
WHAT’S THE COST?
Our standard mediation fee for one full day is £1,750 plus VAT.