Mediation

The Human Resources function is spending more time dealing with disciplinary and grievance cases – the average case being 10.5 days.

Employers in Small to Medium Enterprises spend an average of 21 days a year on disciplinary and grievance cases relating to bullying and harassment.

Most are settled internally (77%), with 14% escalating to an employment tribunal application.

44% of people experiencing problems leave their employers as a result, either through resignation or dismissal.

Conflict occurs in the workplace whether we like it or not. The smallest discriminatory act disagreement, break down in communication can, if not challenged, result in litigation. Many employment tribunal claims started with a small spark - an employee with a problem not taken seriously, a badly handled discipline interview or a misunderstanding between people - which was then fanned into a flame and finally erupted into a volcano.

Mediation is a process that aims to resolve conflict in the workplace. Help from someone independent and even-handed may be the only way things can be improved.

Most kinds of dispute can be mediated provided that those involved want to find a way forward. Mediation is especially suitable when the aim is to maintain the employment relationship. It can be Mediation may not be suitable if an individual wants to enforce a legal right or wants someone to decide the 'rights and wrongs' of an issue for them.

In spite of the benefits, and the legislation, employers have not switched to using mediation skills in a big way. However, Impact Training can help. We have suitably experienced mediators who can offer an objective, impartial mediation service.

Enquire Now or visit the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform’s web site at http://www.dti.gov.uk/employment/Resolving_disputes/index.html for more information.