Unresolved workplace conflict can result in low morale, absenteeism,
poor work outcomes, formal complaints, workers compensation claims
and resignations
Workplace Conflict Management
Workplace conflict is inevitable and can be positive, if it is well managed
Interpersonal disputes can end up actionable claims and are therefore
not to be ignored by management
Supervisors spend around 25% of their time resolving workplace disputes
Mediate Today can help
Mediate Today is a specialist dispute resolution agency with broad experience in resolving workplace
disputes for public and private sector clients.
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Recent experience indicates an increase in worker’s compensation claims resulting from workplace disputes and we often work with insurance companies, organisation and employees to mediate speedy rehabilitation of employees back to work. Our approach is to find practical outcomes that result in long term solutions to return the workplace back to an efficient operation in the shortest possible time.
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Provision of an independent and expert chairman for workplace agreement negotiations. We find that independently chaired negotiations by Mediate Today can generally be concluded 50% faster.
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Independent enquiry and report into workplace allegations; including unfair termination, victimisation, sexual misconduct, harassment, religious / race discrimination and promotion disputes.
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Termination of employment on agreed terms.
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Resolving team conflict (see below).
Your enquiry will be responded to by either Robert or Lorraine Lopich to understand the issues and establish the most appropriate dispute resolution process, timelines, available practitioner etc. for delivery of the service. Contact will be made within four (4) hours based on normal business operating hours. In principle, we believe workplace matters are time critical and look to start the process to meet the workplace need.
Although different services will have different processes, there are some common steps. The first step is to talk with you to understand the nature of the problem and discuss the process and desired outcomes.
Generally we meet with parties separately for about 1 to 1 ½ hours to establish our credentials, discuss the matter and their needs and expectations. If mediation is the preferred process the joint sessions would be held as soon as practical, usually the following day.
Workplace mediations are generally short in duration say around 3 to 4 hours. Depending on any prior agreement with the parties as to process, our object is either for a settlement agreement to be signed by the parties or an outcomes report produced to provide guidance to the parties and where appropriate the organisation on future action to be taken. Sometimes parties request both courses of action.
Resolving Team Conflict
Resolving team conflict is complementary to our workplace mediation role, and is sometimes identified as an additional step following resolution of the initial conflict.
The original mediation may resolve the dispute between two or more staff members but the whole team is often caught-up in the conflict and this needs to be addressed to achieve long term resolution.
The service is a half day workshop involving the broader team members. We have found that although you can resolve the initial conflict, the dispute may also render the team dysfunctional and this needs to be resolved. The workshop introduces the team to some techniques for improved communication and looks at what changes need to be made to achieve a harmonious, productive workplace.
