USING MEDIATION TO RESOLVE DISPUTES

We all know that at times a small conflict can escalate into a massive dispute with sides being taken and the harmonious balance of the office thrown into turmoil.

Regardless of the issues if they are draining resources, weighing on the minds of the employees / management or partners conflict has an impact on productivity. Getting the issues on the table, mediating them and coming to resolution is often the smartest and most expeditious way to insure workforce effectiveness and preserve working relationships.

The mediation process is neutral and non-adversarial which gives all of the parties involved a chance to be heard and resolve conflict peacefully. Mediation provides a forum for exploratory discussion and the generating of options for resolution that may not previously have been thought of. Often the parties can resolve their issues in as little as two hours as opposed to using a more formal legal process that may take months and become cost prohibitive. Settlement isn’t always about money. Many times there are non-economic ways to resolve a complaint that may be important to the charging party and the respondent.

Mediation can resolve issues in the following areas:

• Interpersonal conflict between employees
• Management / employee disputes
• Claims of racial discrimination
• Disputes between Partners
• Patient complaints against a physician
• Organization disputes over guidelines or rules
• Multi-party disputes with long standing entrenched issues

Traditionally conflict management was handled internally, either the parties were asked to work it out between themselves or someone imposed a resolution on the parties with the outcome often being less than satisfactory. Mediation is a neutral, voluntary and confidential process which fosters mutual respect through improved communication. A skilled mediator helps the disputants work through blocks to communication, positions and interests to reach a resolution that meets the needs of all parties. When the parties are equally invested in the process they are more likely to uphold their part of the agreement.

Choosing to participate in a conflict resolution program is both time and cost-effective while promoting a collaborative, peaceful and balanced environment.