Workplace conflict can arise for many reasons.

As impartial third parties, mediators help employees and employers resolve their disputes and prevent potentially damaging situations from escalating. 

What is the goal of a workplace mediator? 

When a workplace dispute occurs, the business may ask an independent mediator to resolve the situation.

The mediator’s goal is to create a safe and controlled environment where employees and employers can discuss their conflicts openly and honestly. 

Through active listening, the mediator helps the employees better understand each other’s point of view.

The process usually includes: 

• Establishing how the conflict arose
• Identifying what each person’s contribution to the conflict was
• Figuring out how the situation escalated
• Agreeing how best to move forward. 

In other words, mediators help people in conflict understand each other better so they can agree to move forward together.

Do workplace mediators make decisions about a dispute’s outcome?

Not at all.

Mediation focuses more on understanding each person’s perspective, finding common ground, and working towards a solution rather than assigning fault or blame.

The mediator encourages discussion about what resolution might look like for both parties. But they do not offer opinions, take sides, or make a ‘ruling’.

Ultimately, the mediator’s role is to support and encourage the disputing parties to find a solution that works for everyone.

Additional benefits of workplace mediation

In addition to helping resolve disputes, mediators help employers prevent similar conflicts from happening again.

Workplace mediation also has other benefits when it comes to creating a more positive and productive work environment, such as: 

• Improved communication between employees (and employers)
• Increased trust and cooperation between everyone in the business
• Reduced stress levels and a more harmonious working environment
• Saved time and money for employers who would otherwise have to deal with the conflict themselves
• Avoids costly and disruptive legal actions.