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The Essential Guide to Workplace Mediation & Conflict Resolution

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The Essential Guide to Workplace Mediation & Conflict Resolution

Rebuilding Working Relationships

Kogan Page,

15 min read
10 take-aways
Audio & text

What's inside?

Learn to use mediation to repair workplace relationships when they break down. Everyone will benefit.

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Editorial Rating

7

Qualities

  • Applicable

Recommendation

When a dispute disrupts the workplace, managers need to act fast before performance declines, morale wanes and everyone in the company suffers. Mediation consultant Nora Doherty and business trainer Marcelas Guyler have written a helpful textbook on various ways to resolve workplace conflicts. Using several academic studies and practical examples, the authors present a range of mediation models and tactics for effective dispute resolution. They cite numerous disagreements involving people in a plethora of different cultures and jobs, from the assembly line to the boardroom. This is a dense, detailed book, so getAbstract recommends it to serious students of mediation and to human resources professionals who require in-depth solutions.

Summary

What Is Mediation?

Disputes can occur in the workplace for a number of reasons: Sometimes co-workers’ personalities conflict, and they simply cannot work together. Other times, colleagues’ working styles differ, or maybe a historic spat interferes in the relationship. Conflicts cost firms dearly. While morale and productivity decrease, sick days, customer complaints and delays rise.

Mediation is a conflict resolution method whereby an unbiased moderator “facilitates communication between those in dispute” and leads them toward a solution. Although mediation dates back to ancient civilizations, workplace mediation first became popular in the 1960s and 1970s as an alternate dispute resolution process that is cheaper than going to court. Mediation is a common tool in divorce, medical and environmental conflicts, and even in international politics. Some distinctive principles set it apart from other dispute resolution processes, including:

  • It is “voluntary” – Disagreeing parties cannot be coerced into participating. Those undergoing mediation retain decisive power in the process.
  • It tries to find a solution – Mediation...

About the Authors

Nora Doherty is founder and director of Professional Mediation Resolutions. Marcelas Guyler is a workplace mediator and principal consultant at the Mediated Cultures and Resolutions Group.

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