AMI's goal is to help create a workplace where employees are loyal and productive. Negative conflict makes employees unhappy and breeds discontent. Conflict is inevitable and it makes good business sense to be able to avoid its destructive potential where possible and to manage it where necessary.
The primary goal of workplace mediation is to leave the parties better able to work together. Often, disputes arise out of a breakdown in communication between parties and a failure to understand or consider the needs and interests of the other. People become focused on the idea of right and wrong, and become unaware of the prospect that both may have a legitimate point of view.
Mediated resolutions can repair and conserve a frayed working relationship. As well, a mediated resolution works better and lasts longer than an authoritatively imposed resolution because both parties have worked together to form their resolution.
Additional benefits of workplace mediation include:
- Preventing conflict from escalating into a costly legal dispute
- Reduced staff turnover and absenteeism
- Enhanced team cohesiveness and improved morale
- Promoting efficiency within your organization
- Enabling employees to successfully deal with interpersonal conflict on their own
Why Not Use our Human Resources Department?
Not all conflict can be resolved by the Human Resource Department.
On occasion, the parties to a dispute cannot trust another company employee to be neutral or to uphold confidentiality - both of which are crucial to mediation.
In these cases, managers are bringing in outside mediators. The more serious the conflict, the more imperative it is the parties have access to an
external mediator.
Not all conflict can be resolved by the Human Resource Department.
The following is a list of workplace conflicts that would benefit from mediation:
- Disputes between employees
- Deteriorating performance
- Terminations
- Sexual Harassment complaints
Almost any conflict that arises in the workplace can benefit from mediation if the parties are willing to work through the issue together.
Mediation of workplace disputes achieves the most satis-
factory, timely and cost-effective resolution of disputes.
Mediation of workplace disputes achieves the most satis-
factory, timely and cost-effective resolution of disputes.