Mediation

Navigating and resolving conflict in today’s workplace.

Reduce time, costs, and the risks associated with formal disputes.

Mediation plays an essential role in navigating and resolving conflict in today’s workplace, offering a streamlined approach that can reduce time, costs, and the risks associated with formal disputes.

Whether it’s allegations of bullying, discrimination, harassment, a breakdown of relationships or issues surrounding performance or attendance, mediation can resolve this for you. Even the most complex ongoing situations that can feel debilitating can be resolved within a day long mediation.

As a registered member of the Civil Mediation Council and having trained with CEDR (The Centre of Effective Dispute Resolution), the UK’s leading provider of training in mediation, conflict resolution and negotiation, coupled with years of managing conflict in the workplace I help organisations determine if mediation is the right solution for their employee relations challenges. If it is, as it often is, by stepping in at the right time, mediation can prevent the escalation of conflicts into lengthy, expensive legal proceedings, all while maintaining healthy professional relationships.

Knowing when to pause formal processes and pivot to mediation requires a delicate balance of skill and judgment, honed through years of experience and extensive training to be a mediator. This very unique skillset and workplace experience enables me to facilitate forward-thinking mediation sessions with compassion, that empower all parties to find a mutually beneficial solution.

In a regulated environment being able to advise if mediation is suitable as a conflict resolution tool, whilst giving consideration to regulatory requirements and obligations in relation to conduct and regulatory frameworks, sets me apart from other mediators.

Professional qualifications coupled with corporate experience

I have a strong reputation for integrity, resilience and resolving conflict, built over two decades working in HR. I’ve worked with people from all walks of life and dealt with high conflict situations and toxic environments. This means that I’m used to managing sensitive, confidential and high-risk situations with vulnerable people. I understand the reputational, financial and personal impacts of a conflict remaining unresolved. And, from my mental health training, I know how stressful situations leading to mediation can be for everyone involved.

I take a modern approach to mediation:

  • Empathetic yet pragmatic

  • Prepared to challenge yet always supportive

  • Not influenced by pressure or seniority

  • Flexible in my thinking and interactions

It’s not about ‘us versus them’, it’s about working together to find common ground. Above all, my goal is for people to finish the day with a weight lifted from their shoulders, ready to go home and sleep easy.

CMC-1

How it works

I will be on-hand to guide you through the process at every step, so everyone feels as comfortable as possible. I will adapt to people’s needs, and attend to every detail, resulting in a robust mediation process for all parties.

number 1 in a circle

Initiating

A need for mediation is discussed and there is verbal agreement to move forward.

number 2 in a circle

Confirming

Once I have been instructed, I will send all parties an ‘Agreement to Mediate’ contract to sign.

number 3 in a circle

Organising

I will liaise with all parties to find a venue (virtual or face to face) that suits your circumstances. I will arrange the logistics ensuring the right people are available on the day to make decisions

number 4 in a circle

Preparing

I spend time with each party, independently, helping them prepare for mediation. Mediation is a forward-thinking process, so I encourage parties not to get bogged down in the detail of everything that has gone on prior to mediation. This preparation ensures that the day is as successful as possible.

number 5 in a circle

Mediation day

All parties start in their separate rooms (virtually or face to face), with the aim of coming together in a shared room, at the relevant time, if appropriate. I will move between the rooms until that time. All information shared with me is confidential and only shared with the agreement of all concerned.

number 6 in a circle

Concluding

Once a way forward or settlement has been reached, a written, binding agreement is immediately drawn up and signed by the parties.

Sector

I can confidently mediate in any sector, having worked in many during my varied career.

Location

While I prefer face-to-face mediation, it can also be done online, if necessary.

Duration

Half/full day, plus additional preparation time.

Price

Since every situation is unique, I will provide a tailored quote after our initial conversation.

Mediation outcomes

The overall success rate of mediation remains very high, with an aggregate settlement rate of 92% which is not significantly different from our 2020 findings.

(Source:  The Tenth Mediation Audit (A survey of commercial mediators) CEDR 1st February 2023)

Table-2

Take the first step towards resolution

Get in touch to discuss your requirements.