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Mediate to solve any disputes, firms told
MEDIATION could be the solution to solve work disputes, employers have been told.
Workplace relations arbitration service Acas is urging businesses to resolve issues by talking rather than letting problems escalate into costly strikes or tribunals.
But Acas says that just one in 20 employers have used mediation to solve a work issue.
Mediation is an informal way of resolving disagreements or disputes in the workplace.
A government funded-pilot scheme has been announced which will help raise awareness of mediation among SMEs.
Last year, secretary of state for business Vince Cable said that industrial tribunals should be a last resort for employers and that disagreements should be solved in other ways, such as mediation.
Andrew Wareing, director of the Acas service responsible for resolving disputes between individuals and their employers, said: “Workplace conflict can damage an organisation’s effectiveness.
“Last week’s announcement that the government is funding a pilot scheme for two regional mediation networks will help raise awareness among employers about how mediation can help benefit their business.
“Mediation helps resolve disputes quickly and effectively, minimising distress and cost as well as preserving workplace relationships.
“Acas successfully resolved 90 per cent of the mediation cases we were involved in over the last year alone.”
A study by Acas has revealed that 64 per cent of employers had heard of mediation and around three quarters of businesses agreed that mediation is a good tool for resolving disputes at work. However, few had taken it up when needed.
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