What is Mediation?

Mediation is an informal, voluntary, and confidential meeting where people in conflict work with neutral third parties in an attempt to resolve a work related conflict by:

1.  opening lines of communication;
2.  clarifying issues and interests;
3.  seeking solutions that meets the parties’ respective needs;
4.  resolving differences; and
5.  enhancing working relationships.

The mediators do not tell the participants whether they are right or wrong or what to do; it is up to the disputants to decide what, if anything, to do about the circumstances.

Mediation is an opportunity for people to talk directly about their situation in a confidential setting. The purpose of confidentiality is to encourage full sharing of information and without fear that ideas or remarks will later be used against participants.  Confidentiality also encourages people to look for more creative ways to resolve the problem, which increases the likelihood of resolution that would not be considered while using other mechanisms to resolve the dispute. For more information about confidentiality in mediation, click here [link to __ ]

What’s the purpose of the Service?

Conflict is a normal part of any working environment, but it can be overly stressful affecting productivity and morale. Mediation provides a constructive way to handle conflict, rather than letting it become destructive. Through fostering increased communication, sharing of perspectives and insights, and identifying root causes of disagreements, mediation can lead to a resolution that would not be considered while using other mechanisms to resolve the dispute.

The University recognizes the benefits of mediation. By developing a campus mediation service, staff and faculty who are experiencing conflict have access to an informal, voluntary process where they can work with trained impartial mediators in a confidential environment. Conflicts can be addressed quickly with participants shaping their own resolution rather than being dependent upon a third party to impose an outcome.