The Gibbons review of the Dispute Resolution Procedures (2004) has already increased the demand for mediation and mediation training throughout a wide range of organisations. The forthcoming Employment Bill will also highlight the need for more mediation awareness and training for employees, HR personnel and line managers.
Gibbons recommends that employers should offer an ‘…early dispute resolution service, including, where appropriate, mediation, before a tribunal claim is lodged…’ (page 11) and also challenges employers to, ‘…commit to implementing and promoting early dispute resolution, for example through greater use of in-house mediation’. (page 10)
UK Mediation has always been quick to respond to the changing dispute resolution needs of organisations. It currently provides accredited mediators from its highly successful national mediator panel, and also offers a range of training solutions to companies wishing to make better use of mediation. The Gibbons review of Dispute Resolution Procedures, and the proposed Employment Bill, have emphasised and reiterated the need for good quality mediation services and mediation training across the board.
Organisations need to plan their response to the new recommendations, to decide when and how to use external mediators, and to consider what level of training is needed for their own HR professionals, people managers, Trades Unions, and employee relations experts.
To help in these important decisions, UK Mediation is offering FREE ½-day and 1-day in-house seminars, for groups of 6-12 people, led by a practising mediator, and helping decision makers to choose practical solutions to managing workplace disputes in the current legislative climate. The seminars are arranged at the employer’s own premises, at dates and times of their choosing, and include a presentation, Q & A session, and a consideration of the organisation’s particular dispute resolution needs.
For more details of UK Mediation’s FREE seminars, or its national mediator panel and range of training programmes, telephone 01773 822222, e-mail admin@ukmediation.net, or visit www.ukmediation.net.
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