1. The Mediation Service

2. What is Mediation? What is mediation?
Well established tool for resolving disagreements quickly
Informal – voluntary - confidential
Mediators – impartial third party who brings together parties to help them to achieve a resolution.
What are the benefits of mediation?
Quick, get to the bottom of underlying issues, relationships preserved, actively managed by parties, cost savings.
Like the Contacts group the mediation service is another support service but it’s remit is to actively bring the staff together to resolve their conflict.
What is mediation? - Mediation is a well established tool for resolving disagreements between staff informally, quickly and effectively. Disagreements costly for all parties The process is voluntary, completely confidential.
Mediator acts as an impartial third party to bring parties together to attempt to find a resolution and restore positive working relationships.
Many benefits: Resolution can be achieved in days or weeks rather than months or years
Mediation can get to the issues which contributed to the creation of the dispute
Relationships can be preserved - It avoids damage to the relationships within a team which could be caused by an internal investigation of a complaint
The costs are lower
The process is actively managed by the parties
Various options to achieve the resolution can be explored and tested – more creative options than through formal procedures
The parties are more likely to abide by the solution since they design and agree to it
As the parties control the outcome, there is greater satisfaction with the results

3. The Mediators and the Process
Five stages of the mediation process
Agree to participate
Individual meetings
Joint meeting
Agreement
Follow up
Who are the mediators?
University uses co-mediation
Formally trained members of staff – experienced
Neutral and impartial –safe and supportive environment
There are 5 stages to mediation process
Both parties must agree to take part in mediation
Individual meetings – Mediators meet with both individuals separately (to talk through their version of events, clarify the problem and prepare them for the joint meeting)
A joint meeting is held – both parties are brought together for a facilitated discussion. Mediators help them to identify and acknowledge each other’s needs and interests.
Action plan – Solutions are then explored and if points are agreed an action plan is drawn up.
Follow up – The mediators will follow up with both parties to see how things are going (1 – 3 months)
Who are the mediators
Experienced team of volunteers, from a range of roles within the University who have received formal training.
Neutral and impartial
Manage the mediation process – creating a safe and supportive environment so that both parties can talk honestly and openly about what has happened and how it has affected them.
Co-mediation is used by the University

4. When is Mediation appropriate?
When should it be used?
At any time when relationships have broken down - before/during or after formal internal proceedings
Genuine wish to work together to end dispute
When is it not appropriate?
Used to avoid managerial responsibilities
Decision about right or wrong is required
No genuine interest in reaching an agreement
When should mediation be used
At any time when the working relationship has broken down
Before, during or after formal internal proceedings
Have voluntarily chosen to take part - Must not feel pushed into it
Both parties genuinely want to see an end to the dispute.
When is mediation not appropriate?
First resort – as a way of a line manager avoiding managerial responsibilities
A decision about right or wrong is sought
Either party does not have a genuine interest in reaching agreement

5. Mediation Co-ordinators
Contact Information
If you would like to find out more about Mediation or discuss the process, please contact the Mediation Co-ordinators on the details below:
Jackie Stone, Mediation Coordinator (tel.(7)65544,
Louise Akroyd, Mediation Coordinator (tel.(7)65821,

6. Useful information Mediation Service Website

7. Any Questions