What is mediation?
Mediation is a voluntary process where a third party provides impartial facilitation with the intention of trying to resolve a disagreement between individuals. The mediator should be independent of the individuals and issues. Whatever the background, it is important to make sure that the mediator is appropriately trained.
Facilitative approach
There are several different approaches to mediation but for most workplace situations a ‘facilitative approach’ can be helpful. This involves the mediator taking a leading but impartial role in trying to resolve the situation, for example by questioning both sides to understand the real nature of the problem and prompting the parties to consider possible options. The aim is that the presence of a mediator will help the individuals see matters more objectively and reach a solution which is acceptable to both.
Care needs to be taken that the mediator is not taking over the process and directing the parties to a particular solution. The parties should own the process and any eventual agreement.
How can mediation help?
Mediation will be most useful when there has been a break down in relationships, a clash of personalities or a strong difference of opinion on work issues.
Mediation can be helpful in low-level situations of unfair treatment, perhaps where the perpetrator has not understood that their behaviour can be categorised as bullying or harassment, and they are unaware of the impact of their behaviour.
Benefits
- When used at an early stage of a dispute, it can nip unhealthy conflict in the bud.
- It can repair relationships before they break down irrecoverably.
- It is a cheaper, quicker and less stressful alternative to formal procedures such as grievance and an employment tribunal claim.
- It can explore and resolve any underlying difficulties in the employment relationship that are often not covered in a formal procedure.
- It can be empowering as it enables parties to ‘own’ the process and agreement.
- It can help to promote a positive, problem-solving approach to employment relations and build a more open and inclusive culture.
About Blue Star HR and how they can help!
Karen Barnes, one of our directors is a trained mediator and regularly works with a variety of clients to support them with facilitation sessions as the result of a dispute or breakdown in communications. Karen has a success rate of working with individuals to achieve a shared outcome and allowing them to communicate to glean their colleagues’ views and perspectives.