Workplace Mediation Guidelines
Workplace Mediation Guidelines and Consent Form
Welcome. Please take a few minutes to read and sign off on your agreement to enter into this mediation process according to the following guidelines and procedures.
∙ Mediation is a voluntary process by which an impartial person helps participants in a dispute reach an informed and mutually acceptable settlement of the issues.
∙ Mediation is not counseling. The goal of your mediation is reaching a mutually acceptable agreement.
∙ A set of written agreements and time frames (if appropriate) will be drawn up at the end of the session for both parties. Such arrangements will be legally binding upon participants as participants desire and agree.
∙ The information from the session will be kept confidential by the mediator unless written consent is given by both the parties to share the final agreement with management or others.
∙ There may be a time within the process that the mediator feels individual meetings would be helpful. The information shared in these sessions will be confidential between the mediator and the individual participant in any such caucus, except as the mediator may be explicitly authorized to share such information.
∙ This mediation does not take the place of or inhibit use of other grievance or disciplinary processes. The mediator will not be asked to testify in any contested action between the parties.
∙ Ground rules for this session are:
- Allow each other to speak without interrupting. - No name calling, inflammatory language, violence or threat of violence. - Treat each other with respect (focusing on behaviors you don’t like, not attacking the person).
∙ Each party needs to have a commitment to improving the working relationship and looking at the ways they have added to the breakdown in communication. ∙ Sessions are generally scheduled for ________________minutes. If more time is needed, an additional meeting will be scheduled (often several sessions are needed to resolve substantial disputes and issues).
Date _________
_____________________________________ Signature
_____________________________________ Signature
© 1996 The Mediation Center, Inc.
