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Mediation services
When you consider how much time we actually spend at work, it’s not surprising that most people encounter a problem at some point. Disputes happen in almost every workplace – but the way you deal with them can mean the difference between reconciliation and expensive legal action. You can solve workplace disputes effectively and economically when you bring people together in mediation.
Mediation has the power to transform your organisation’s working culture, making it a happier and more productive place to be.
What is it?
Mediation is a confidential and informal process where an independent third party works with people who have a disagreement to help them find their own solution and reach an agreement to either sort out the problem or improve the situation.
How long does it take?
Mediation usually takes as little as one day in total. You should allow at least two hours per person for the preliminary individual meetings and about half a day for the joint meeting – although this may vary depending on the complexity of the dispute. You might even want to undertake the individual and joint meetings on separate days.
What happens?
Once all the parties involved have agreed to mediation, the mediator will usually meet separately with them to get their perspective on the situation. They will then come together in a joint meeting to discuss the issues constructively.
The mediator won’t take sides or pass any judgement on who is right or wrong. The mediator cannot tell the parties what to do or give any legal advice. The agreement on how to resolve the situation and work together going forward is entirely the decision of the parties inovlved.
At the end of the process the mediator will draw up a written agreement for all who are involved. Whilst the details of the mediation are completely confidential the mediator will let you, the employer, know that the issues have been resolved. Details of the written agreement can only be shared with the consent of both parties.
Benefits
Case studies
In 2012 Workplace Law was asked to develop and deliver a property management-focused sustainability training course for BNP Paribas Real Estate UK. This is a branch of BNP Paribas bank, which provides a number of property services including development, management and investment of property portfolios across the UK.
Workplace Law was appointed in the final quarter of 2012 to assist Shelter with the implementation of an ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS). Shelter wished to reduce its environmental impact, secure funding and make operational cost savings.
"In 2009 Chaps Ltd recognised that it needed to improve its health and safety systems. We changed our Health and Safety consultants to Workplace Law in order to give us a fresh approach towards our management of health and safety and to gain specialist construction advice.
"By using their expertise and experience Simon and Maria have guided us into developing a health and safety system that has achieved CHAS accreditation and given our customers and principle contractor’s confidence in our management of health and safety. They have always been available to offer advice when needed and to provide independent site inspections and audits which are often required by our customers.
"Both Simon and Maria continue to support Chaps Ltd and have become an important, integral part of our Health and Safety Management System."
Suzanne Jackson, HR Director, Emprise:
“Workplace Law has made a difference to the quality of the service we can provide to our staff. And because of the customised service from Workplace Law, the costs have come down.
“We’re now into the second year and we’re pleased with the level of service which is always turned around quickly with any queries being answered straight away.”
Testimonials
