The process of workplace mediation involves parties, in a work-related situation, attempting to resolve a dispute through an independent, impartial third party. The neutral third party is called the mediator. In many cases, the presence of attorneys or lawyers is absent in mediation in the workplace, and the process is often privately conducted with strict confidentiality.

When Mediation in the Workplace Becomes Necessary

Workplace mediation can arise due to a number of reasons. For example, an employee may think that he or she is being unfairly treated in comparison to his or her coworkers. On the other hand, an employee may disagree with certain company policies. In other cases, a worker may be continually bullied or harassed and looks toward a third party to intervene and resolve the problem.

Settling Office Disputes before They Turn Ugly

One of the goals of workplace mediation is to put a stop to a conflict or dispute before it becomes a bigger, more serious issue within the workplace environment. Even if a conflict was resolved without the use of mediation, the process can be used to help heal strained working relationships that arose out of the conflict.  For the mediation in the workplace to play out successfully, the parties involved should have a willingness to cooperate and a strong desire to come to a mutually beneficial solution -- one that continues to allow the parties to work together peacefully. The mediator should be well-skilled in conflict negotiations and resolutions, especially in terms of workplace issues. When these factors are present in the workplace mediation, there is more of a likelihood that a mutually agreed upon solution to the workplace conflict will be achieved.