A recent survey reported in Personnel Today has determined that mediation is not being widely used by employers as a means of resolving workplace disputes.

Among the 136 companies surveyed, it was found that two out of three had never used mediation services. However, of those who had used mediation to tackle workplace conflict, 60% cited the flexibility of the process as its key advantage.

Mediation should never be overlooked by employers who are faced with conflict in the workplace. Ideally, mediation should be sought as early as possible in order to prevent the escalation of the problem and to take action before the situation deteriorates further.

As is shown by the survey, flexibility is the key to the mediation process. Unlike employment tribunals, where the majority of outcomes involve a financial settlement, mediation increases the options open to both the employer and the employee. By improving the lines of communication between the two parties in the dispute, mediation makes it far easier to resolve the conflict in a manner that is satisfactory to both sides.

Ashby Cohen are a firm of solicitors who specialise in UK employment law. In addition to providing legal advice and representation on the full spectrum of employment law issues, they also offer a comprehensive mediation service, helping employers to avoid litigation and ensuring that employees can voice their grievances and move towards a constructive solution.

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