Resolving workplace disputes

Workplace disputes can arise at any time, in any business. They range from minor conflicts through to more serious and disruptive disputes that can be damaging to your business, team and performance. Mediation is a dynamic and structured process performed by a neutral, experienced third-party. We deploy specialised communication processes and techniques that are actively used to resolve professional conflict and restore harmony to your business.

Please click on your job function for tailored mediation support:

In the UK, 86% of mediation reaches a full and satisfactory resolution. Early intervention can diffuse conflict and avoid an escalation that is both costly and stressful at a later stage. Workplace conflict can be:

•        An individual grievance

•        Between two co-workers

•        Between a manager and an employee

• Between two Directors

Trust can break down very quickly between the parties concerned making internal conciliation challenging. Difficult conversations can be distressing for either or both parties and hard to manage. Workplace mediation provides neutral, qualified expertise that both individuals can trust. Your mediators’ only goal is to guide the parties to a satisfactory resolution, imparting fair, accurate and impartial advice. Mediation is increasingly sought to avoid the unwanted expense of tribunals, legal fees and a lack of productivity throughout your organisation whenever conflict arises.

Reichwald Mediation is a team of accredited workplace and employment mediators. Our structured and proven mediation process can help you to reach dispute resolution. We do not listen to the loudest or most senior voice; we listen to everyone and seek agreement between all parties. In a safe, facilitated environment we help you to explore ways of working together and moving forward.

We explain the mediation process for you here.

Please click here to view testimonials from clients that we have supported.

 Is Mediation Right For You?

Conflicts arise for many reasons and, in some situations, disciplinary action is indicated. Is one party clearly at fault? Is their behaviour entirely unreasonable or inappropriate? Is anyone in breach of contract or their terms and conditions of employment? Just because two people have a disagreement does not make it of equal responsibility.

Distinguish whether a difficult situation is one in which the parties simply cannot find common ground, or if investigation as to whether one party is at fault is needed.

Sometimes people simply cannot find common ground and resolve their own differences. If you can assure them that a good win-win resolution can be found, providing they are willing to co-operate with you (not initially with each other), then you know mediation can really work.

Mediation is voluntary and encourages people to be reasonable with an intermediary who will listen to their story.

Speak to each party involved on their own. They must know that if you are to introduce an uninvolved mediator, there is no chance of an initial bias or preference. If they know there is no blame game, only a desire to avoid confrontation and understand their situation, they will be more ready to participate.

An independent mediator is not a guarantee of your preferred outcome, but it is a fair means towards the best possible outcome.

 Mediation Support for Employers

You could be the Chairman, owner, Managing Director or HR Manager. You are the mediation commissioner acting on behalf of the business to seek conflict resolution. Depending on the severity of the dispute, you may be called upon for the appropriate advice, to facilitate meetings, conduct disciplinary procedures/grievances or even prepare for employment tribunals. Mediation can be particularly stressful for anyone affiliated with the business. The introduction of third-party mediation routinely diffuses the burden and tension that accompanies professional conflict as your mediator has no connection with the business or the conflict - only its resolution. It also evidences the appropriate steps taken to reach a satisfactory resolution for all parties - guided by a neutral, accredited mediator.

The benefits of Mediation are:

• Highly experienced mediation support

• The value of external, independent guidance

• Swiftly available (prompt intervention routinely leads to quicker conflict resolution)

• Even if there is no significant change in attitudes, mediation can provide a degree of pragmatism that allows the parties to continue working together in some form

• Reduces and relieves the associated stress for management of the individuals involved

• Evidences the appropriate steps taken to try and achieve a satisfactory resolution

• Regularly avoids costly escalations and tribunals

• We can help to achieve satisfactory resolution - equally, for all parties, without duress

Mediation works in over 80% of cases and it can work for you. Mediation offers an affordable and effective way to move forward and gives you the route and confidence to deal with situations that are challenging by nature.

Click here to meet your mediators.

 Mediation Support for Line Managers

As a line manager, when conflict arises you can often be the first point of escalation. Conflict can be a simple misunderstanding, often about responsibility, shifts and behaviours or a clash of personalities. Communication begins to breakdown which is when a minor conflict can quickly escalate. Workplace disputes not only damage the relationship of the two or more parties concerned, but they also cause wider disruption to your teams’ morale, performance and productivity. As the manager, you are involved and how you act reflects on both you, your team and the outcome.

A workplace dispute can be sensitive, stressful and challenging. However accomplished you are as a manager, successfully resolving disputes amongst your team requires an impartial, experienced approach. You may be under pressure to resolve the situation or assign ‘blame’ to the responsible party. Blame is often spread amongst both parties and intervention and prevention are required. The value of an unaffiliated mediator can often be felt immediately as they are not connected to the conflict - only its resolution.

the benefits of mediation support for line managers:

Mediation works in over 80% of cases and it can work for you. Mediation offers an affordable and effective way to move forward and gives you the route and confidence to deal with situations that are challenging by nature.

Click here to meet your mediators.

 Mediation Support for Employees

As an employee, you can find yourself in the middle of a challenging, disagreeable and stressful situation when a workplace dispute arises. The conflict could be between yourself and another employee, more than one employee or with your manager. You may feel that you are being treated unfairly and that the conflict is outside of your control. Conflict can escalate quickly as communication breaks down, making it unbearable. It can be difficult to relay your side of the story and you may be (understandably) concerned about being fairly represented, disciplinary action, your position within the company or a tribunal.

Mediation provides you with the knowledge and support to relieve the tension and find another, more satisfactory outcome. Your mediators’ only goal is to guide the dispute to satisfactory resolution - imparting neutral, expert advice that you can trust. We do not listen to the loudest or most senior voice. We listen to everyone and seek agreement for all parties in a safe and facilitated environment.

is mediation right for you?

Mediation works in over 80% of cases and it can work for you. Mediation offers an affordable and effective way to move forward and gives you the route and confidence to deal with situations that are challenging by nature.

Click here to meet your mediators.