CASE STUDY: WORKPLACE MEDIATION
Workplace Mediation can resolve disputes between people at work. People are encouraged to talk about the situation, express their concerns to each other and come up with practical solutions. They are supported by a trained mediator acting as an independent and impartial facilitator. The mediator does not take sides or judge who is right or wrong, they will establish ground rules, such as confidentiality and the need to listen to each other.
Generally there are two stages:
Stage 1 individual meetings with the parties exploring the core issues and identifying ideal outcome.
Stage 2 joint meeting, facilitated by the mediator, which usually takes place on the same day.
Mediation can be beneficial for resolving all types of workplace issues, including
communication problems
personality clashes
unresolved or ongoing grievances
perceived discrimination
harassment or bullying
differences of working style or approach
SEE has a team of experienced mediators who have undertaken the Certificate in Workplace Mediation through ACAS.
Why use SEE?
We are independent and impartial. The parties can be comfortable there is no hidden agenda or prior judgement about their dispute or who may be right or wrong. We recently undertook mediation between an employee on long term sick leave with a stress related illness, and her manager. Discussions about her return to work were being hampered by the breakdown in their working relationship. There was a serious lack of communication and mistrust on both sides which had escalated over a number of months.
Following SEE’s involvement, the parties came up with their own solutions to get their working relationship back on track. Mediation is a positive alternative to normal processes like grievance or litigation because it is quick, informal and focuses on achieving a win/win outcome for everyone. Employees have nothing to lose by giving mediation a try because they can still choose to follow the formal procedures if it doesn’t work out.
For more information, or to arrange to speak to one of our trained mediators, please call the Employment Services team on 01962 840664 or email Shella Smith at shella@seemp.co.uk.