Workplace Mediation
'A report published by ACAS (Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service) in May 2021 estimated workplace conflict costs UK employers ‘nearly £30 billion per year, an average of just over £1000 per employee per year’.
Are you experiencing an on-going dispute between two colleagues or conflict between multiple team members? Is this resulting in an uncomfortable environment and possibly high turnover, increased absence and low productivity?
For the best outcomes for everyone involved, hire in a qualified, experienced mediator.
As much as you want to dedicate the time to manage the situation, you have several other competing priorities that all needed to have been completed yesterday and you don’t have the time to focus on this. You may not feel confident in dealing with the issue as you may not be seen to be impartial, or you just may not feel you have the skills needed.
No mediation session is too complex or the gap too wide to close. With years of experience managing and resolving complex conflicts we are in an ideal position to support you.
Whether in workplace mediation or civil and commercial mediation those involved are often so emotionally invested and entrenched in their positions they can't focus on the bigger picture and what's really important.
We can work with both parties to help them gain perspective and work towards a mutually agreeable position that will benefit them both personally and professionally.
What is mediation?
Mediation is a voluntary informal process by which an impartial third party helps people in a dispute to explore and understand any differences that they have. This then helps them come to a mutual agreement in settling those differences.
It is the parties involved, not the mediator, who decides the terms of the agreement.
Why use mediation?
Conflict can occur in any employment relationship, if not nipped in the bud at the earliest opportunity the issues could escalate to formal processes such as, grievance, disciplinary and subsequent tribunal claims. All can have costly implications on your business so engaging in mediation early is beneficial. Our services could support you to:
> Save time
> Save money
> Maintain relationships
> Find a mutually agreeable solution
> Keep the process informal
> Be future-focused
What to expect?
> Meeting with the referrer
> Private meeting 1 with Party 1
> Private meeting 1 with Party 2
> Private check in meeting with Party 1
> Private check in meeting with Party 2
> Joint Mediation session
> Written agreement given to both parties at the end of the joint session
Please note one full day of mediation is equivalent to 8 hours.
The price will increase if:
> Mediation continues for more than one day
> If more than two parties are involved
> If mediation is more complex, for example if it involves senior leaders within a business
The cost of a venue will be in addition to the above.
Civil and commercial mediation
Civil and commercial mediation
Increasingly, disputing parties are using mediation to help them settle ongoing civil and commercial disputes.
You may be a Director or Partner of a company who wants to sever ties, or you may be entangled in a boundary dispute. You may have already lost a lot of time, money and resources wrangled in commercial litigation with ever-increasing court and legal costs with no end in sight.
Rather than prolonging the dispute over months, if not years, you may want to consider mediation.
Why use commercial mediation?
Commercial mediation is a flexible, voluntary and confidential form of alternative dispute resolution. An independent third party, the mediator, assists parties to work towards a negotiated settlement of their dispute. The parties retain control of the decision whether or not to settle and on what terms. This is a ‘without prejudice’ conversation which means whatever is discussed within mediation cannot be used in any future litigation.
Benefits of commercial mediation
> Speed – mediation typically is concluded in a day
> Cost savings – no further court or legal costs
> Peace of mind – no more added pressure of litigation
What to expect?
> Initial conversation with referrer
> Initial conversation with Party 1 and Party 2 to establish willingness to enter into mediation
> Agreement to mediate sent to both parties prior to mediation session
> Face to face or online *shuttle mediation
> Settlement agreement to be drawn up by a solicitor and signed by both parties, their respective solicitors and the mediator
*Shuttle mediation is when the two parties are in separate rooms and the mediator moves between the two rooms to speak to each party. The two parties may at some point come together face to face however, only if both parties consent.
Testimonials
I would highly recommend Sharmin's HR services. I was introduced to Sharmin for help regarding a HR matter. She took the time to gets lots of detail of the matter before advising on a clear recommended plan of action.
Throughout, I felt very confident in Sharmin's skills and expertise and found her responsive to any queries I had.
I would not hesitate to recommend Sharmin or engage her services for team coaching, training and HR support. Thank you Sharmin!
Kunal S
Principal Dentist at Hagley Dental Practice
I have had the pleasure of working with Sharmin for several years both as a colleague and a workplace mediator. Sharmin brings empathy, pragmatism and an ability to communicate and engage with colleagues at all levels. I am constantly impressed by her ability to resolve workplace conflicts, often involving complex and longstanding issues.I highly recommend Sharmin as a workplace mediator.
Jenny Hemmings
Head of HR at Midland Heart
Sharmin provided a mediation service to improve relations that had broken down within a team.
Her mediation skills were second-to-none and she provided an excellent service, building a confidential relationship with the individuals concerned to allow them to explore the reasons for the breakdown in the relationship.
Sharmin quickly took on board the background to the issue and most importantly Sharmin's intervention worked!
David Onion
Compensation & Benefits Manager at Volvo Group UK
I worked with sharmin for over 7 years at midland heart and her HR and coaching skills were second to none. she supported me as a manager in the business with some very challenging cases and provided mediation when required. this was delivered calmly and professionally and I felt very supported as a manager. I was also lucky enough to have one to one coaching with sharmin and she assisted me with building on my current skills and helping me gain confidence and resilience in the work place. This was so valuable to me and I still use some of the techniques to this day that sharmin showed me. sharmin is a fantastic friendly and very knowledgeable person and I would highly recommend her for any coaching mentoring or mediation help.
Gavin Baker
Service Desk Manager at the University of Wolverhampton
Sharmin's support for the Faculty's efforts to boost students' employability has been extremely well-received by those involved. The levels of engagement promoted through the 'Jobs on Campus' scheme that Sharmin has managed over the past three years have been very high and the enthusiasm and interest generated has lasted long after the work itself has finished. Throughout it all Sharmin has been fantastically energetic, proactive and helpful for staff and students alike. Our students were still commenting favourably about their heightened self-awareness and insight into their strengths and areas for development in the workplace as they graduated and made their transitions from study into employment.
Prof. Mark O'Hara
AHE Associate & HE Consultant