Employment mediation for conflicts in the workplace

A conflict at work drains energy, from the employee, the manager and the whole team. Employment mediation is increasingly used when working relationships have broken down or as part of a return-to-work process. It may involve one employee, but also a group or an entire department. As an impartial mediator, I help the parties move out of their entrenched positions and look at what lies beneath the conflict.

When employment mediation?

• when the relationship between an employee and a manager has broken down;
• in a conflict during sick leave or the return to work;
• in tension or conflict within a team or department;
• when parting ways seems the best outcome, but you want to do it properly.

Restoration first

Exit mediation is possible, but restoring the working relationship is usually more valuable. Especially now that good people are scarce and lost knowledge does not simply come back. When the parties can tell their story to someone who listens without prejudice, takes no sides and has no stake in the outcome, doors almost always open. From those new insights, the parties often find fair and lasting solutions.

If restoration does not succeed, I guide the employer and employee towards a respectful parting. Read more about exit mediation and about a conflict with your employer during sick leave.

Don't lose time

The sooner you address a conflict, the better. That is certainly true when more than two people are involved. Quite often a manager is one of the parties, and a simple conflict spreads like a peat fire. A crisis of confidence develops, the atmosphere turns sour and good people leave.

The hidden costs of this are high. The cost of recruiting and selecting a replacement for a good employee who leaves is almost always higher than the cost of a mediation process.

Specialist knowledge

Employment mediation and group mediation require additional knowledge and skills. The rules on employment, sickness and dismissal change constantly. I have completed the specialist training in employment mediation and keep my knowledge up to date. When many parties are involved, I work with experienced fellow mediators (co-mediation). Read more about this under business mediation.

How does it work?

Employer and employee both choose mediation voluntarily. In the mediation agreement, we record how we will work, who pays the costs and that everything discussed remains confidential. That includes towards colleagues and the organisation, unless the parties agree otherwise together. Then the sessions follow, together and, where needed, separately. When the parties reach a solution, I put the agreements in writing. Read more about the process on how it works.

What does it cost?

Employment mediation costs €195 per hour excluding VAT. Usually the employer pays the costs, but that does not change my role: I remain impartial and neutral. See also the fees.

Get acquainted?

Want to know whether mediation can help in your situation? Book a meeting without obligation or give me a call.

Online introduction Introduction at the office Call +31 20 659 88 28