Mediation is a voluntary and confidential form of alternative dispute resolution. It involves an independent, impartial third party helping two or more individuals or groups to reach a solution that works and is acceptable for everyone.
The aim of mediation in the workplace is to restore and maintain the working relationship if at all possible. The focus is therefore on finding a way to work together going forward, not dwelling on what has happened in the past and who is to blame.
Resolutions made by way of mediation are not legally binding and there won’t be a judgment enforced on the parties. The benefit of mediation is that it allows the parties to agree much more creative ways of settling their dispute. Instead of being bound by legal principles and the main remedy in the courts of financial compensation, with the assistance of a mediator, the parties can reach a resolution that they are happy with, which might include an apology, training, a structured payment or renegotiation of a contract.
Banner Jones is delighted to be able to offer mediation to our clients by specially trained mediators to resolve disputes that arise in the workplace.
Furthermore, where a grievance has arisen in the workplace, the use of an impartial third party mediator to try to resolve the issues is recommended in the ACAS Code of Practice, and therefore taking part in mediation can help you to show that you have complied with the Code if you need to in any subsequent claim.