b'| LIFES TYLE | WHAT ABOUTWORKPLACE DISPUTE FACT BOX featured mediator:Research conducted by the Confederation40% of UK workers reported some form of British Industry (CBI) and the Centre forof work-related illness or health issue. TheEMMA THE WORKERS? Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR) in overlargest categories apart from muscle, jointGOODING600 UK businesses indicates that workplaceand back pain are sleep disorders, anxiety conflict is costing British businesses andand depression. (CIPD UK Working Lives organisations 33 billion a year. Summary 2019)Only 49% of UK workers feel that their jobsThe single biggest group of stressedEmma started her professional afford them the opportunity to developemployee categories is professional (i.e.life as a commercial dispute skills, and only 30% feel that they havemanagement) grades. (HSE work relatedresolution solicitor, training Tensions in the workplace are all too common and the impact ongood prospects of career development. stress depression or anxiety statistics inand qualifying with Magic Circle law Great Britain 2018)individuals and the organisation as a whole can be damaging,firm Allen & Overy. She later joined Herbert Smith Freehills disputes so swift and fair mediation can be a very useful resolution for allAlice recently applied for promotionencouraged Charlie to reassure Alicepractice in Hong Kong as a solicitor parties. by john webb to Deputy Marketing Manager, butand helped him find a way to deliverand a mediation advocate. She was passed over. The promotion wentthe reasons for her being passed overexperienced first-hand how the W e spend a hugecome back from the brink of a course ofinstead to one of her male colleagues,for promotion this time. He was ablemediation process is used to find Tom, who has been at the companyto do this tactfully and in a way whichconstructive solutions to disputes amount of timeaction that will probably be damagingfor a shorter time than her. Alice isAlice accepted. In turn, Alice was able towhich satisfy all the parties needs, at work, going tofor everyone concerned. We think it isconvinced that she was passed overshare her feelings about being isolatedand avoid the irrecoverable costs, or from work, ormuch better to resolve a problem withfor promotion because she is female,from the rest of the team and left out ofdelay and stress of court proceedings.thinking abouta working relationship in place so thatand that Tom was promoted insteadimportant decisions. From attending her first mediation work. We spend more time with bossesyou can get on with your job and life. because he is a good friend of their lineWorking together in joint meetingsas a trainee solicitor, Emma held a and co-workers than we do with ourIt is never too early to think aboutmanager, Charlie. A formal complaintwith Alice, Tom and Charlie, thelong-standing ambition to qualify family and friends, and our relationshipsmediation in the workplace, so dontmight follow and the issue was raisedmediator was able to help the teamas a mediator herself. In 2008 she with them have a profound impact.leave it until it is too late. with HR. Fearing that a team riftagree how they could work togethergained accreditation with CEDR as What we do and say in the workplaceMediator, could damage the companys growthbetter going forward. A training plana civil and commercial mediator. matters, whether we are employeesCollaborative Solutionsprospects a mediator was called in. was created with Alices agreement andSince then, Emma has successfully being told what to do, bosses tellingThe mediator met separately withinput to help her prepare for promotion,mediated both in the UK and other people what to do, or if we aremediated case study: Alice, Tom and Charlie before theand it was agreed that some of TomsHong Kong, from large commercial part of that ever-growing class ofemployers and employees, an absolutemediation day, speaking to each on aclient responsibilities would be shareddisputes to conflicts between worker that is the contractor. last resort. Not only are they costly, theyA WORKPLACEconfidential basis. Alice explained thatwith her. Once reached, the agreementneighbours. When we have issues, disputesoften take years to happen. DISPUTE as the only female member of the team,was recorded in writing and signedShe is a certified workplace can arise in the workplace. OftenWorkplace disputes cost businesses,she often felt excluded. She felt thatby Alice, Charlie and Tom. With theirmediator and a conflict coach, HR becomes involved to deal withorganisations and above all peopleby emma gooding work situations were discussed awaypermission, their agreement was alsoassisting organisations to resolve the problem. While in all fairness HR(be they employees, managers, or(All participants agreed to share their story,from the office and decisions wereshared with HR. In a follow up meetingconflict between employees, processes can resolve some issuesanyone else) a huge amount in stress,on the condition that neither they nor theoften made in her absence. Followingtwo weeks later all three reportedmanagement, and within teams.and put an end to disputes, mostlyproductivity and lost earnings. We arecompany were identified.) her industry award Alice felt that shethat relations in the team were greatlyEmma is an experienced mediation they tend towards a resolution thatseeing more and more instances inA lice works in a marketingwas the natural choice for promotion. improved, and that the whole teamtrainer, having trained both favours the employer. Dismissal,small businesses and start-ups thatCharlie told the mediator that Alicewas working much more effectivelymediation advocates who represent resignation, written warnings,team disputes can present an existentialdepartment of 5was a valued team member, who wastogether. parties to mediation and aspiring performance improvement plans,threat to the business when key playersemployees, in a new butwell regarded by clients. The companymediators.all these are unpleasant andare involved.fast-growing technologywas extremely keen to retain her.COLLABORATIVE SOLUTIONSEmma enjoys travel and potentially confrontational things andAt Collaborative Solutions wecompany. Her lineHowever, Charlie told the mediator55/57 Temple Chambersphotography. When not mediating unfortunately one or more of thembelieve that early intervention throughmanager and the other employees inthat Alice had been passed over for3-7 Temple Avenueprofessionally, she spends her time often happen at the end of a workplacemediation is a way to head off issuesthe team are all male. Alice is a valuedpromotion this time because (in theEC4Y 0HP mediating at home between her fourdispute. and confrontation before they becomeemployee who is hard-working andcompanys view) she wasnt ready. Thist: 0207 129 1068 children, and on muddy walks with There is no legal aid for Employmentunsolvable disputes. Even at a relativelycreative. She recently won an industryhad not been explained to Alice. e: reception@csmediation.co.uk her ludicrous Cocker Spaniel, Bella.Tribunals anymore. So ETs are, for mostlate stage mediation can help youaward, of which she is justifiably proud. On the mediation day, the mediatorw: collaborativesolutions.co.ukDo you have a dispute you would like to settleIts about the conversation. 0 2 0 7 1 2 9 1 0 6 8without going to court or to tribunal?Collaborative Solutions can help you resolve your dispute throughCollaborative Solutions - creativity in mediationmediation. Its voluntary, confidential and about finding a solution that works for everyone at a fraction of the cost of court or tribunal. 55/57 Temple Chambers, 3-7 Temple Avenue, London EC4Y 0HP | www.collaborativesolutions.co.uk'