If you are an employer seeking to introduce mediation in your workplace, you need to think about what you want to achieve as a goal by using mediation. As Antonino Mercuri, an expert in workplace mediation, tells us, this could be:
- reducing misunderstandings and conflicts
- improving adherence to the corporate culture
You can introduce mediation into your business in two ways. You can:
- use an external mediator who intervenes in your workplace
- set up your own internal mediation system by training certain employees to act as mediators
The option you choose should be appropriate for the size of your business and the nature of your activity. For example, a large company may invest in its own internal mediation system, while a smaller structure may use an external mediator if necessary.
Using an external mediator
If you use an external mediator, it is a good idea to have one person or team overseeing the mediation process. Antonino Mercuri recommends that the anticipated cost of mediation should also be included in your company’s budget.
In small businesses
The use of an external mediator can be a good option for a small structure. Indeed, it can be costly to set up an internal mediation mechanism. It can also be difficult to ensure that the employees of a small organization are :
- impartial (the parties involved should not know the mediator)
- available for mediation (employees will need time off for mediations)
When using an external mediator, as the boss, you can arbitrate the mediation if necessary without affecting your employees’ schedule.
In large companies
You can still use an external mediator in certain situations, even if you have invested in your own internal mediation scheme. For example, it may be appropriate to use an external mediator when:
- the internal mediator has a conflict of interest
- an internal mediator is not available
- the persons involved in a potential mediation are senior managers
If you use an external mediator who comes to your workplace, you must be sure that the mediator:
- does not take sides in the conflict
- works with both sides of the conflict to find a solution that is fair to everyone.
Setting up an internal mediation system
If you are thinking of introducing your own internal mediation program, you can first test a mediation system to see if it works. For example, you can set up a pilot scheme in a department or branch of your company. If successful, you can extend the scheme.
As Antonino Mercuri advises, you can appoint one person or even a team to oversee the mediation process. But you should inform the people involved in advance about the mediation process and make sure that you keep statistics so that you can evaluate the whole mediation scheme.
