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Hannah Harper, HR Advisor, introduces LCC’s new workplace mediation service, and explores how it can transform local councils by fostering better communication, resolving conflicts, and strengthening professional relationships.
Workplace mediation
Workplace mediation is a voluntary and confidential process in which a neutral third party, called a ‘mediator’, helps employees resolve conflicts or disputes within the workplace.
It is typically used to address interpersonal issues, misunderstandings, or disagreements between coworkers, managers, or teams that could negatively affect productivity, morale, or overall work environment.
Benefits of workplace mediation
Workplace mediation is a highly effective approach for resolving conflicts, fostering better communication, and preserving professional relationships – whilst reducing the time and costs associated with formal disputes.
Mediation is a structured yet informal process to resolving conflicts, helping to address issues before they escalate into more serious disputes by encouraging open dialogue and mutual understanding.
As the process is confidential between the mediator and parties, it preserves the participants’ privacy. This contributes to their involvement in expressing their true concerns, interests, and
potential compromises promoting settlement.
Unlike a grievance procedure that focuses on the past and determining fault, mediation is forward-looking and aims to find practical, constructive solutions to improve working relationships moving forward.
Who can mediate?
Whilst any independent, third party could mediate, using a trained mediator offers several advantages, including having specialised skills in conflict resolution techniques, experience in
maintaining impartiality and having a structured process which increases the chances of a successful outcome.
Being part of a professional body, trained mediators also understand the legal and ethical standards applicable – and the confidentiality requirements from carrying out this work.
About me
I am a CIPD Level 5 qualified HR professional with experience in a range of HR services, both in the private and public sector. As well as being an REC certified recruitment specialist, am a newly qualified workplace mediator, having recently undergone workplace mediation training resulting in becoming a Civil Mediation Council (CMC) accredited mediator.
In my career to date, I’ve seen a range of issues where mediation would have been incredibly beneficial. I’m passionate about helping employees share their perspectives and have meaningful discussions to find the solutions that work for them. I look forward to offering this service through LCC.
How to access mediation
Angela Meek, LCC Officer, said: ‘We are pleased to introduce this new service which will help to improve working relationships, build on our work in civility and respect, and help to retain talent within our sector.
‘If you would like to learn more about this, or our HR and recruitment services, please do get in touch – I am always happy to talk to you and see if LCC can help.’
