The growing importance of workplace ADR

This article is a practitioner reflection on taking a meta mediation perspective on working with two organizations in co-creating a positive and constructive working environment. This perspective is grounded in the theoretical framework of strategic conflict management systems. The approach taken is to consider a specific process for engaging with organizations by looking at the two case study organizations – one small and growing, the other medium-sized and resource-constrained. The reflection first considers the antecedents for both organizations in engaging in this way. It then sets out the process for whole organization engagement through dialogue. The outcomes for each organization are then shared. The conclusion reached is that both organizations benefited from the engagement in terms of improvements in work environment, working relationships, conflict competence and organizational performance. Some of the ethical considerations for mediators working with organizations in this way are reflected on including neutrality and impartiality, confidentiality and self determination.

Section: Taking a Critical Perspectivementioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Co-creating Positive Working Environments: a meta mediation perspective

Kenny

2015

“…Mediation research in Ireland is sparse. Bill Roche and Paul Teague have written extensively on conflict management systems and alternative dispute resolution processes within workplaces in Ireland (Roche and Teague, 2011;Roche and Teague, 2012 (a) and (b); Teague and Roche, 2012;Teague, Roche and Hann, 2012). Whilst mediation is covered in their work, their focus is on whether organisations use mediation or not, rather than exploring the process in detail.…”

Section: Mediation Research In Irelandmentioning

confidence: 99%

Workplace Mediation in Ireland: Bridging the Research-Practice Gap

2015

The purpose of this article is to present a case for the importance of research in informing mediation practice specifically in the context of the management of workplace conflict in Ireland. The position of mediation within the broader dispute-resolution framework is clarified at the outset and the core mediation process is described. The increasing use of mediation in Ireland and the changing institutional context within which it is conducted are discussed. The importance of research is stressed along with crucial methodological challenges. The paucity of workplace mediation research in Ireland is highlighted and the preliminary findings of an on-going research project are presented. The article concludes that more research into workplace mediation in Ireland is needed to inform practice in this area and to improve external perception of the legitimacy of mediation as a dispute resolution process

“…Furthermore, the growing and influential general research on workplace conflict and its management (Teague and Lipsky et al 2016;Saundry et al, 2016b) and, in particular, mediation (Roche and Teague, 2012;Latreille and Saundry, 2014;Kenny, 2014) remains a key backdrop for the discussion that follows. However, the focus of this paper whilst informed by this valuable knowledge is to consider in particular the role of the internal mediator and the broader understanding of conflict management we can draw from such an endeavour.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reflections on the role of a workplace mediator

2017

This article is a reflection on my time as an internal mediator and, I hope also, a guide for readers who are considering introducing or taking up the role. To that end, the discussion covers my early expectations, the first time in the role, different approaches to the role I have encountered both as a practicing mediator and also as a researcher and closes with some reflection on the future. This article is an adaptation of an original paper for the UK Professional Mediation Association conference 2014. To that end, I have sought to develop some of the themes based more specifically on my and colleagues’ research on mediation across a number of sectors in the UK, in particular within higher education.