In any workplace, conflicts can occur at some point in time. It can be caused by various factors and can affect several people.

Issues in the office among employees as well as between employees and high-ranking officers that are unresolved for quite some time can affect performance and productivity. They can have a negative impact on one’s emotions thereby affecting one’s work attitude. As such, they need to be settled as soon as possible in the most appropriate manner.

These days, workplace mediation is very much encouraged. It’s considered an effective way of resolving conflicts and ensuring that the same issues are not repeated in the future.

Sometimes, reaching a compromise is not just possible. But with mediation, there’s a high chance that the parties involved will have a better understanding of their situation and the steps they can take to maintain a good relationship with co-workers moving forward.

On the part of managers and supervisors, mediation can be quite a challenge. An uncomfortable feeling can occur as these people holding high positions could consider themselves a failure in not being able to resolve the issue. But this should not be the case at all if you are committed to establishing a productive environment in your department that promotes teamwork instead of competition.

Mediation normally involves the intervention of a third party. In the U.S., this is already being practiced although not many organizations are doing it. This process is voluntary which means employers cannot be forced to choose it if they don’t want to.

There are many benefits to workplace mediation that both employers and employees can gain. Firstly, it saves the company litigation costs. Secondly, it saves time and energy that can be wasted on unnecessary confrontations. Thirdly, the resolution has a high chance of working better for everyone involved and often lasts longer compared to resolutions that are imposed by the management.

In addition, this settlement process improves communication as the parties involved are encouraged to share their sentiments and offer suggestions. With this, mutual respect is promoted and the people are guided as to what they can do to improve their relationship in the workplace.

The mediator, in this case, performs a significant task. He or she opens the communication line and helps parties to view the situation from the perspective of their colleagues. This then enables both the employers and employees to work together towards an ideal resolution to their issue rather staying hostile against each other.

With mediation, differences can be reconciled and people in the workplace can become productive. Happy workers contribute to productivity and keep the company their working for stable.

Photo via empoweryouconsultants.com

Originally posted on August 23, 2012 @ 1:10 am