HR Consultancy
Mediation and facilitation
Resolving a workplace dispute or repairing a working relationship that has gone sour isn’t always easy. At WorkNest, we can provide mediation or facilitation services to help two or more individuals or groups reach a solution that is acceptable to everyone.
We can help those involved understand each other’s perspectives, clarify potential options, and develop an appropriate action plan for the parties to follow – allowing you to move forward positively.
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How we help
Encourage positive communication in a safe and structured environment
Unresolved conflict can be incredibly damaging to organisations, leading to increased sickness absence, reduced morale and productivity, and high staff turnover. Left to fester, this can escalate into grievance and disciplinary procedures or, worse, Employment Tribunal claims – incurring further expense and increasing the burden on management time.
WorkNest’s mediation and facilitation support can help you to restore workplace harmony and defuse tensions before they drag your business down.
- Led by trained mediators and facilitators from our team of highly-qualified HR Consultants
- Help to decide what course of action is most appropriate based on your specific circumstances and goals
- Resolve differences between two employees at the same level by having us mediate separately with the parties on your behalf
- Clear the air with multiple employees by having us facilitate difficult discussions with you present
- Decide how best to move forward with an agreed follow-up action plan
Related resources
Free webinar
Workplace Conflict | Early Intervention, Estimated Costs and Employment Law
Find the right solution for you, then let us handle it
Not sure whether it’s mediation or facilitation you require? Don’t worry, our HR Specialists will consult with you to get a better understanding of the situation and arrange the most suitable support.
Typically, mediation is recommended when dealing with a dispute between two employees at the same level. In this scenario, we will arrange to sit down with each party individually, then bring them together to agree on a way forward and provide an outcome that both parties feel comfortable with.
If you are struggling with whole-team issues, wider conduct concerns such as bullying and harassment, or shared disputes over pay, salary and benefits, facilitation may be a better fit. Here, we will find out what you’re trying to achieve, then facilitate a collaborative discussion that allows for candid conversations and joint problem solving.
Popular FAQs
Common questions about our mediation and facilitation services, answered by the HR specialists that deliver them.
Do we need to attend facilitation?
Unlike mediation, those involved in a facilitation session would be required to attend and engage in the process. The meeting is led by an appropriate representative of the management team and the facilitator will agree and support the meeting chair with creating meeting objectives, as well as ensure the session remains positive and constructive and is focused on achievement of the desired outcome.
In what circumstances is mediation appropriate?
Mediation can be particularly effective in addressing the wide range of issues that typically arise at work. Some of the issues that are suitable for resolution through mediation include conflict over working practices, conflict resulting from individual behaviour, conflicting perceptions around performance, unfair or unequal treatment, workplace relational issues, and communication issues.
What types of dispute are unsuitable for mediation?
Mediation should not be used to resolve performance management or conduct issues. It should also not be used when the relationship between the two parties is unreconcilable or where the balance of power is likely to affect a fair outcome.
Will you report back to us on how mediation went?
Mediation is confidential, so we won’t be able to give you specific details of how the sessions went with those involved. However, we can advise whether it was a successful or unsuccessful process and work with you to develop an action plan that will help everyone to move forward.
What is the cost?
Once we have taken the background information from you, we will be able give you a quote based on the preparation involved. We typically work on a day rate and these services are normally charged at a day and a half.
Can the parties refuse to engage in mediation/facilitation?
With mediation, both parties have to agree to particulate and can withdraw their consent at any time. Facilitation, on the other hand, is considered a reasonable management instruction, so employees must attend or face the possibility of disciplinary action.
How much time will it take?
You will need to assign one full working day to the process. If more time is needed, you and the mediator/facilitator can schedule another session. In most cases, we will aim for the session to be completed within one day.
Is mediation confidential?
Yes. The mediator will keep confidential everything that is said during the mediation session(s). All parties present are expected to abide by confidentiality and we ask that they complete a confidentiality agreement and bring it with them to the mediation day. The parties will agree what information will be shared to those not involved in mediation session. The mediator will provide information to the referring manager only by agreement from the parties. As a matter of course, the referral source will only be told: a) that mediation took place, and b) whether an agreement was reached.
Who will be present at the mediation session?
One experienced mediator will run the session. The parties involved will be the only people present. This process does not allow lawyers or other representatives to be present.
Explore Our HR Consultancy Services
We do more than just mediation and facilitation...
Consultation support
Looking to make changes within your organisation? If it will have a fundamental impact on the employment relationship, you have a duty to inform and consult with your employees first.
Whether you’re embarking on large-scale redundancies, considering making changes to employees’ terms and conditions or going through a transfer of ownership, our skilled HR specialists can conduct productive consultations with those affected to help you make informed, commercial decisions.
Dispute resolution
If alternative forms of dispute resolution fail, settlement agreements may be the only viable solution. However, negotiating one can be daunting – that’s why we’re here to make the process as painless as possible, as well as help you avoid legal pitfalls along the way.
Whether you have an employee who’s consistently underperforming or who isn’t suitable for your team, causing disruption and impacting negatively on team output, we can steer you through the legal requirements and iterative processes that need to be followed to deliver the settlement so that you can sever ties and move forward positively.
Investigations, hearings and appeals
There are many components to a fair disciplinary or grievance process. If you’re not comfortable conducting investigations, hearings and appeals yourself, or are simply strapped for time, our seasoned HR specialists can offer on-site support to take the pressure off.
We can conduct the meetings for you or, if you prefer, attend them with you to provide expert guidance and reassurance. This is invaluable when experienced, independent HR support is needed.
Organisational change
Got big plans for your organisation over the next 12 months to three years? Then you might need to rethink and right-size your organisation to make sure your structure and skillset aligns with your aims.
If you’re not sure where to start with a task of this scale, our skilled HR Consultants can support you through the reorganisation process and ensure your workforce is set up for future success.
Recruitment
Hiring the right people can measurably propel your organisation towards success. Using proven methods, we can maximise your chances of attracting, sourcing, selecting and retaining the most talented personnel.
If you’re spending too much time and money on your recruitment, or struggling to get quality candidates through the process expediently, our outsourced recruitment offerings are suitable for one-off senior-level hires or even for us managing all your annual vacancies in one place.
Staff surveys
There’s only one way to truly evaluate your workforce’s feelings towards your organisation as a place of work, and that’s by asking them. Our staff surveys provide an effective and transparent measure of employee engagement.
After identifying your objectives, we can help you design, implement and analyse your survey. Done effectively, this can enhance your relationship with your employees, address critical issues and direct organisational growth.
Training and organisation development
Equipping your staff with the right skills fortifies your organisation and maximises its success.
Our trainers will apply fresh thinking to your operational and strategic challenges and offer innovative solutions to address your training requirements. Sharing their skills and knowledge, they will facilitate productive and insightful events to enhance your business’s management and leadership capability.
Welfare and medical capability meetings
When dealing long-term absence or persistent short-term absences, care must be taken to avoid being found liable for unlawful discrimination.
If you have concerns about an employee’s ability to undertake their role effectively, our seasoned HR Consultants can take care of all formal meetings for you and help you to do the right thing by your people and your business.
99.2% Client happiness rating
97% Client retention rating
Why choose us?
Experts in HR
At WorkNest HR, we’re known for our bespoke service and the quality of our support. Not only is our expertise unmatched, but we take the time to know you so that we can function as a true extension of your team.
- 40 employed HR Consultants, many of whom are CIPD qualified, chartered and fellows
- A dedicated Organisational Development Team of specialist trainers and consultants
- Cradle-to-grave HR service for new start-ups and growing businesses – everything from managing your HR administration through to defining your HR strategy
- Specialists in managing projects such as pay and reward, recruitment, HR systems, onboarding, redundancy and restructuring
- HR Consultants based in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle, Chester, Horsham and London, working remotely and in your premises
Who you’ll be working with
Angela Carter
Director of Legal Services
Toyah Marshall
Head of Team
Toyah Marshall
Principal Employment Law Adviser
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WorkNest (formerly HRSP) has been a superb partner for us to ensure that our most valuable asset, our people, are managed in the best possible way. The expertise of Rob, Christian and Annabelle has been invaluable.”
