Mediation

Sometimes in a working environment, professional relationships can breakdown, to help repair and create a harmonious atmosphere you may be invited to a mediation meeting.

A mediation meeting is an informal, confidential process whereby parties that are in dispute have the opportunity to have an open and honest discussion about their situation. The process is facilitated by an independent mediator who remains impartial while supporting the parties equally to find their own solutions to the issues. Mediation is voluntary and will take place where all parties involved in the dispute agree to it.

If you have a dispute with another team member in the first instance you should try to resolve the issue between you. Where you are unable to do so and the relationship has broken down, you can ask your Line Manager to arrange a mediation.

Pre-Mediation Meeting

When you have been invited to a mediation meeting, the mediator will meet with you and the party separately. The purpose of this discussion is to allow the mediator to explain the mediation process, answer any questions you may have and address any concerns, before exploring the key issues in relation to the conflict. The mediator will want to know about the history of the conflict, the impact that it is having on you, your work and performance, and what you would like to achieve from the mediation. This will help structure the meeting and achieve a desired outcome for both parties.

Mediation Meeting

During the mediation meeting, you will have an opportunity to share your view and listen to the other parties perspective. The mediator will enable constructive communication between the parties and help identify the key issues to be addressed. The mediator will facilitate the parties to consider options to resolve the issues and find solutions that they are comfortable to agree to. All discussions during the meeting are confidential and neither parties nor the mediator will communicate any information about the meetings to any other party, unless it has been agreed in the meeting that it may be communicated.

After the meeting each party will receive a letter from the mediator that lists the agreed actions moving forward that were confirmed in the mediation meeting to help in keeping a happy working environment.