Free Workplace Resolution Programme for Members of The Wheel

Workplace Resolution Programme

A pro-bono way to resolve conflict in your organisation and among staff and volunteers. 

Set up to help resolve conflict in charities, social enterprises and community and voluntary organisations, this pro bono programme is now available to our members. The programme is for organisations that may not have the resources to access professional help in resolving such matters.

The programme makes skilled mediators available, on a pro-bono basis, to member organisations with an annual turnover less than €250,000. The programme is designed to facilitate discussions between 2 or 3 participants. 
 

To be considered, a simple application form must be completed. Applicants must be a person in authority in the organisation such as a Board chairperson, board member, or a senior member of staff. Once an application is assessed and accepted, a mediator will be assigned who will deal directly and confidentially with the applicant to set up mediation.

Confidential research on the effectiveness of the process for participants will be undertaken on an on-going basis, and changes or improvements may be made as a result. It is expected that participating organisations will engage fully with the research element of the  programme.
 

What Is Mediation?

Mediation is a process whereby an impartial third party assists those in conflict to reach a resolution which they find acceptable. Some basic principles underlie mediation and these are:

• it is confidential
• the parties are always in control of the outcome
• the mediator leads the process
• the mediator must act and remain impartial. he mediator will not take sides while aspects of the past are discussed. The focus is clearly on the future and resolution.
• it aims for mutual understanding and resolution
• it is respectful and is normally covered by simple ground rules
• it is voluntary for the participants.

Any outcome may be written down and signed as an agreement though sometimes participants may prefer a verbal agreement.

The Mediation Process

Initially the mediator meets both participants separately, to explain the process, to discuss agreement to ground rules and to gain an understanding of the conflict

The participants are then invited to a joint meeting at which the mediator will guide discussion to ensure full understanding, from each perspective, of the issues. The focus is then on what options can be developed to resolve matters. hese are then distilled down to an agreement which is drafted by the mediator and agreed by the parties.

Normally a written agreement is signed by both and this signals the end of the process. The referrer is usually provided with a confidential copy of any written agreement.

The Benefits

There are many benefits in using this approach.

For the organisation:

• it is fast and brings a focus, 
• it does not involve others in the organisation (such as would happen in an investigation), 
• it brings closure 
• it is an alternative to a legal approach.

For the participants:

• it gets to the root of the problem and deals with it directly, 
• it is quick
• It is private to the participants
• it helps to foster better working relationships
• it is a respectful process with participants always in control of the outcome.

The process is very successful in reaching an acceptable outcome and there is great learning for everyone.

Scope & Terms

The scope of the programme covers disagreement and conflict that occurs within the workplace, between 2 or 3 individuals, including among employees, volunteers and board members. It does not cover service users or beneficiaries of the charity.

The program will include one guided mediation session for parties in addition to the initial introductory discussion with each participant. Each mediator has the goal of resolving the conflict within this session. Should particularly complex issues arise, there may be a recommendation of further mediation which may incur a cost.

The programme is designed for smaller organisations that do not have the financial means to appoint a paid mediator. Applicant organisations should be members of The Wheel and have a turnover of less than E250,000 per annum. 

While the mediator will give their time for free, depending on location, there may be a small amount to be paid to cover travel – this will be agreed with the mediator prior to commencement.
 

With a background in human resource management and development across manufacturing, healthcare, education and not-for-profit sectors, Brendan became an independent consultant and trainer in 2000.

Having achieved 1st place in the very first postgraduate Diploma in Mediation Studies in UCD he qualified as a Practitioner Member in the Mediators Institute of Ireland, becoming the first Registrar for the Workplace Mediation sector, overseeing assessment and accreditation for mediators wishing to work in this area.

He has mediated in numerous two-party and multi-party workplace situations and is one of the most experienced workplace mediators in Ireland and the UK. He has also developed and run numerous mediation skills courses, and is author of “Fixing the Fighting” (Oak Tree Press, 2005).

Download Brendan's presentation (PDF).

More information on Brendan Schutte can be found on the website: www.brendanschutte.com