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Mediation: Who? Why? What? When?

WHO IS MEDIATION FOR?

The Mediation Service is available to all members of staff and students in Medical Science Division who find themselves in conflict with another member of staff or student. 

WHY MEDIATION?

Mediation is an informal and collaborative process. It gives you the opportunity to deal with a conflict in a timely, confidential and sensitive way.

Conflict is a normal part of life, both in and out of work. Conflict itself is not good or bad – it is how it is managed that is important. When managed effectively, conflict can create a wealth of opportunities for growth, development and change. Mediation helps parties to find a way forward. Mediation can be used at any stage of a conflict although the earlier the better.

People in all types of organisations experience conflict in the workplace. Whilst conflict can be a catalyst for change and creativity, it can also be extremely costly, both in financial and human terms. Mediation offers organisations an alternative approach to resolving destructive workplace conflict. Mediation enhances the wellbeing and performance of people. 

WHAT SITUATIONS COULD MEDIATION BE USEFUL IN?

A broad range of disputes can be referred to mediation. Workplace mediation cases typically include issues relating to relationship breakdowns at any job-role level, personality clashes, communication problems, sickness absence due to work-related stress, allegations of bullying and harassment, and post-grievance recommendations.

WHEN MEDIATION should happen?

The earlier a difficult situation or a conflict is managed and tackled, the better. The longer we leave a conflict to grow the more complex it is for parties to resolve it.

Mediation can be used ideally before any formal process has been instigated. That doesn’t always happen, sometimes mediation can be used post-grievance but the earlier you catch conflict the better. 

The 'typical' mediation process

An image that outlines the mediation process: Contact the service. Staff and students across MSD who find themselves in conflict can contact the service directly. Or managers, HR and other staff can refer on behalf of the parties. Mediation Services contacts the party/ies: The Mediation Service’s coordinators will assign two mediators for the case, and they will contact the party/ies to arrange an individual meeting. Parties meet individually with mediators. Each party will meet separately with the assigned, trained and accredited mediators for an hour. If everyone agrees, after the individual meetings, a joint meeting will be arranged. Joint discussionThe mediators will support parties to communicate with each other openly, honestly and constructively and will not make suggestions or recommendations. Most mediations result in an agreement or action plan which the parties can use in the workplace. The goal of mediation is to allow parties to resolve their conflicts in a safe and structured environment. Followup. The mediators will discuss follow-up arrangements with the parties.