Workplace mediation: resolving conflict quickly and effectively
“Dysfunctional conflict is bad for business, it is bad for anyone who is required to manage it and it is most certainly bad for the disputing parties.” David Liddle
Workplace mediation is a process for people in conflict to discuss issues and agree what needs to happen for their working relationship to be improved.
An impartial, independent workplace mediator manages the process and facilitates the meeting between the people in conflict. Mediation is a confidential process and it’s not the mediator’s role to judge or impose a particular solution. The focus is on helping people to agree how to improve how they work together.
Benefits of workplace mediation
- A tried and tested process with a high success rate
- Less costly and less stressful than formal HR processes
- Quick, can be completed within a week of the first call
- Demonstrates the organisation cares
- Supports a more positive work culture
How workplace mediation works
When HR or management identify a situation suitable for mediation, the next step is to select a trained workplace mediator. It’s important the parties in conflict are motivated to start rebuilding their working relationship.
As a trained mediator, I’ll be guiding people through the process from start to finish:
- Introductory meeting: HR/management meet with me. We’ll discuss the context, the workplace mediation process and agree timelines.
- Initial meetings: I’ll have separate, confidential meetings with each person in conflict to discuss the conflict in detail.
- Joint meeting: People in conflict will attend a joint session with me, as the mediator. The purpose of this meeting is to explore issues and agree how working relationships will be improved.
- Follow-Up: One month after the joint meeting the people who were in conflict meet with me to review the agreement for improving working relationships
“every human being has the capacity to resolve his or her own conflicts – if he or she is given the means and opportunity to do so.” David Liddle, mediator
Why Karen as your workplace mediator
- With over 15 years’ experience working in complex organisations Karen knows how difficult it can be, how tired people can get and how easy it can be for easy-going people to find themselves in the heat of conflict.
- Workplace relationships are complex and the subject of many of the issues clients bring to coaching. Karen has coached many managers/leaders, and supported many teams in exploring workplace relationships
- As a trained mediator and an accredited coach Karen’s well equipped to support people through difficult conversations
- Her knowledge of organisational psychology brings additional insights.
Interested in learning more?
If you want to know more about workplace mediation or are dealing with a conflict and considering mediation please email Karen@aspirecc.co.uk or arrange a no-obligation call call.
Prices for workplace mediation are very reasonable, starting from £1,200.
Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) have guidance for employers and employees on using mediation
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) factsheet on workplace mediation
Keeping conflict collaborative
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