What is workplace mediation?

information for people using or commissioning mediation

Workplace mediation is an informal, structured process in which an independent third party, a mediator, helps people in a disagreement or dispute to create a way forward.  Mediation introduces a powerful new dynamic to any negotiation or dispute discussion.  It enables people to restore and develop healthy working relationships.

Workplace mediation is future-focussed – it is concerned with how things will be from now on rather than finding blame for how things have been in the past.  It is optional – any party can withdraw from the process at any time.

The goal of workplace mediation is for the people involved in a disagreement or dispute to negotiate their own mutually agreed solutions to the issues between them.

Mediation at Work provides an independent mediator to work with the individuals in dispute.  The mediator does not express views about how to handle a specific conflict nor make recommendations or advise on a course of action.  The mediator helps the parties find an agreement between themselves.

The mediator aims to help the parties explore the conflict situation, develop understanding, identify acceptable ways forward and, where appropriate, reach agreement on ways of working together.

All mediators who work with Mediation at Work are trained and experienced in working with conflict with a wide range of people and organisations.

The content of any workplace mediation meeting is confidential.  The mediator will not pass on anything said during the mediation process without the permission of the parties involved – unless not to do so would involve the mediator in breaking the law.

It is a condition of the involvement of Mediation at Work that the mediator will not be called upon by any of the parties to be a witness in any subsequent proceedings.

Mediation at Work has adopted the European Code of Conduct for Mediators.