What is mediation?  |  Benefits of mediation  |  When does mediation work best?

Potential Outcomes  |  Confidentiality  |  Neutrality  |  Who mediates?

What is mediation?

When there is conflict, a neutral third-party mediator can facilitate communication between those involved, help examine what has gone wrong and isolate the issues.

Mediation is a future-focused process.  The aim is to help all involved come together to find a mutually beneficial, working agreement for the future.

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Benefits of mediation

• Encourages parties to deal with the conflict and ensures difficult issues are brought to the surface
• Can help all parties to see the conflict from a different perspective
• Agreements reached through mediation tend to be more sustainable as they are devised by those involved
• Helps to avoids grievances and investigations
• Can save time for all involved
• Minimises cost (both emotional for the individuals and monetary for the University)
• Focuses on the relationship between the parties
• Allows individuals to personally "own" a conflict and its solution
• Minimises the risk to the University and the College or School

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When does mediation work best?

• When it is done early
• When it is voluntary
• When both parties have a vested interest in improving their relationship for the future
• When parties can take some responsibility for their actions
• When individuals are ready to listen to their colleague’s point of view
• When parties can attempt to see the conflict from their colleague’s alternative perspective

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Potential Outcomes

• Better understanding of each other’s position
• Written agreement
• Verbal agreement
• Letters to others involved
• Recognition of wrongdoing

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Confidentiality

Issues discussed with the mediator and/or with the Employee Support Services Manager during the mediation process are confidential.  However, outcomes achieved are reported to the referrer or relevant parties. 

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Neutrality

Mediators are a neutral, third party. Their role is not to provide solutions or outcomes, but enable the parties involved to go through a communicative process to resolve the conflict in a way that suits both of their needs. 

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Who mediates?

The University has a panel of trained mediators.  Typically mediations are done in pairs with either two panel members or one panel member and the Employee Support Services Manager. 

Mediation may be outsourced to a dedicated professional when the conflict is:

• Historical
• Extremely complicated
• Has implications of risk
• Between senior colleagues

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