Workplace
Conflict in the workplace is not uncommon and can occur between co-workers, as well as between workers and management. Disputes can also arise on management boards and between business owners. Breakdown in communication in the workplace can be costly and unpleasant for all involved and may result in claims to employment tribunals or the courts.
Our commercially trained mediators have a wealth of experience in conducting workplace mediations. Mediations can be arranged at neutral venues and may prevent the need for costly legal proceedings.
Can mediation help?
In many cases the answer is yes. Our mediation process is impartial, and our mediators create a safe space for both parties to talk about their experience of the dispute and hear what the other side has to say. Often disputes are caused by misunderstandings or a lack of awareness of a problem and mediation can help both sides work towards a lasting agreement.
How we can help
Our mediators will visit you individually to hear about the issues and explain the mediation process. Then if you and the other party wish to proceed we will set up a joint mediation meeting. In this way, disputes can be resolved quickly and confidentially, often without the need for expensive legal proceedings.
Questions you may have
Over 95% of our mediations are free to the parties who need it. This is because we work to obtain funding from local authorities, social landlords, the Police and Crime Commissioner and charitable Trusts. Our service is completely impartial and confidential, and we do not reveal details of mediations to those who fund us.
In the rare event that a dispute is not covered by funding we are able to offer a cost effective mediation for a fixed fee. This cost is often split equally between the parties.
It is natural to feel anxious or uncertain about whether mediation is the right option. This is why we offer a private individual meeting to both parties before we ask them to confirm if they wish to participate in a joint mediation meeting. In the event that a party does not want to attend an individual meeting or they do not want to go to a joint mediation after their initial meeting, we can offer another service called conflict coaching to both parties.
Any agreement reached through mediation, whether verbal or written is not legally binding. However the fact that the parties have voluntarily reached the agreement means that it is more likely to succeed. The benefit of a mediated agreement over a court imposed solution is that the parties can create innovative solutions to suit their particular circumstances.
This largely depends upon the availability of the parties. It is possible for the mediation process to take less than 3 weeks assuming that everyone is available to meet with our mediators and attend a joint mediation meeting within that timeframe.
Our mediators have an 85% success rate in reaching a verbal or written agreement following a joint mediation meeting.
What our clients say
“ We found the friendly competence and professionalism of the mediators extremely helpful.”
“ I wish we had gone to mediation four years ago. The process has totally changed our lives for the better.”
“ I felt heard and now really enjoy my job again.”
“I decided not to block the texts from my neighbour but to choose a different appropriate response such as replying ‘thanks for letting me know’. Having experienced Conflict Coaching, I realised that I could choose and control my own reactions.”
“ I am looking forward to mediating at school as it will help people to chill out, calm down and feel like they can trust you.”
“Well presented course. Easy to follow and well paced. Will be of tremendous help with my HR hat on!”