A recent movement emerging in many companies today is the development of more collaborative and less confrontational workplaces. Both companies and workers are gradually recognizing the problems each other faces when they treat each other as adversaries, rather than partners, in the production of goods or services. Progressive companies are revisiting management and production methods that emphasize informed participation, expanded responsibility and decentralized authority. To achieve these goals, organizations are finding that mediation is the best method for resolving workplace disputes. Mediation is also useful for resolving workplace disagreements for companies that have no intention of changing the philosophy or structure of their business. In terms of time and energy lost, money spent, and relationships destroyed beyond repair, litigation related to an employment dispute can be extremely damaging to businesses. Mediation can help companies minimize the costs incurred in trying to resolve differences that arise in the workplace. Workplace mediation can be equally beneficial to both employers and employees. It offers quick and mutually satisfactory solutions to all parties involved. Mediated resolutions are often more effective in the short and long term, because everyone involved has a vested interest. Furthermore, mediation takes the final decision-making process away from the authorities who are tasked with finding solutions to the problem. Mediation also promotes shared respect through better communication and can relax an environment where everyone is continually on the defensive. Overall, workplace mediation is very different from litigation mediation. .....t review process, with senior managers having the option to refer the matter to mediation or allow the HR department to extend mediation at any point in the review process. A self-contained list of procedures can also help. Please see Appendix A for a list of sample procedures downloaded from the Johns Hopkins Workplace Mediation Center, which can be a helpful guide for any company seeking to establish a workplace mediation program. Ultimately, workplace dispute mediation is here to stay. It is the most convenient, satisfactory and timely dispute resolution mechanism that employers can avail of. Furthermore, it is useful for creating and sustaining a shared workplace culture that employers aspire to. Companies looking to bring these benefits to their business should not hesitate to include mediation in their dispute resolution platform.
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