Employment and Workplace Mediation Master-class

In conjunction with the Employment and Workplace Providers Network

The workplace and employment market is one of increasing complexity. Records show that employment related cases and discrimination cases are at a record high.

Recent figures suggest that companies are now spending an estimated £210m per year in employment tribunal claims and with the fast approaching age discrimination laws coming into force in October this year, this figure could raise by an additional 70%, which would have an immense impact on the financial structure of many organisations.

The effect of this is not purely financial; the rise has also had an effect on personnel productivity, with an excessive proportion of employers and HR professionals spending up to half of their time dealing with the impact of employment disputes. The ability to resolve a conflict before it reaches the stage of embarking on a full scale employment tribunal is fundamental in today’s commercial environment.

Ken Coke leading the senior level workshop

The Employment and Workplace Providers Network, which consists of the UK’s leading alternative dispute resolution providers, aims to promote awareness of employment and workplace mediation as an effective method of resolving disputes, in order to avoid the time and cost involved in litigation.

A particular area of focus for the network is to establish an advanced level awareness for employment mediators who train and develop individuals within organisations or who practice as mediators themselves and have the sole objective of reducing the number of employment related disputes escalating to tribunal.

ADR Group in conjunction with ACAS invited renowned USA mediator Ken Cloke, Director of the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution in California to lead a specialist employment and workplace mediation master-class. The workshop explored conflict resolution from a deeper perspective. Ken looked the theoretical aspects, from discussing behavioral patterns of employees who are involved in internal disputes and the impact on the immediate environment, to varying styles and approaches to mediation itself.

“Excellent. Inspiring, brave and true. Liked the combination of ideas and practical examples and stories. Appreciated organisational perspectives – unusual and thought provoking addition to UK training.”

“The content was stimulating. Lots of new food for thought of which I will inform my practice.”