Mediation 'underutilised' in workplace conflicts

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) said the repeal of the Statutory Dispute Resolution regulations next year made it "all the more important" that employers invested in mediation.

Research carried out by the CIPD revealed that almost 60% of organisations had never used mediation to help manage conflict at work.

However, of those employers that used mediation, more than 80% reported that it helped improve relationships between employees. In addition, 71% said they believed mediation reduced stress associated with the use of formal disciplinary or grievance procedures, while half claimed it helped avoid the costs of defending employment tribunal claims.

As well as mediation, simple informal discussions were identified as the "most effective" approaches to resolving conflict at work, by the research.

Mediation was rated as "particularly effective" in preventing the breakdown of working relationships, tackling bullying and harassment and addressing discrimination in the workplace, according to the CIPD.

'Informal skills'

Mike Emmott, CIPD employee relations adviser, said: "All employers should consider using mediation as a flexible alternative to the formal disciplinary or grievance procedure.

"Mediation can help two disputing parties identify what is at the root of their disagreement, what they need to happen to resolve matters or move forward and any changes or compromises they are prepared to make in their behaviour or attitudes."

He added: "More employers should invest in conflict management training to give line managers the informal mediation skills to allow them to step in and attempt to resolve disputes before they escalate.

"Poor conflict management does not just lead to management time being wasted and significant financial cost but also creates stress, leads to employee absence, dysfunctional teams and damages morale and productivity. In many cases employees will simply vote with their feet and leave organisations if conflict is not managed effectively."

As well as repealing the current statutory dispute procedures - expected next April - the Government is planning to introduce other measures to "improve and simplify" employment dispute resolution. Its latest consultation on the issue, launched earlier this week, can be found here.