The Workplace Mediation Service is a service of the Labour Relations Commission which aims to resolve workplace disputes and disagreements, particularly between individuals or small groups.
This confidential service gives employees and employers in dispute with each other an opportunity to work with a mediator to find a mutually agreed solution to the problem. Workplace mediation is a voluntary process which needs to have both sides agreeing to participate and to work towards a solution to the problem.
If no agreed solution is reached, other ways of resolving the issues will have to be used. In that situation the mediator will assist the participants to decide how best to proceed. You can read more about enforcing your employment rights here.
The advantage of using workplace mediation is that it allows a problem to be resolved informally, by ensuring that all the sides are heard. The process also means that participants are involved in finding an agreed solution. As they work together to solve the problem, the resolution of it is in the control of the participants. Where they are committed to a mutually agreed solution it is likely to be more effective and last longer. Also, as workplace mediation is used before the issue is referred to other statutory dispute resolution bodies such as the Rights Commissioner Service there is no duplication.
The type of situations that are dealt with by the Workplace Mediation Service include:
The Workplace Mediation Service operates according to the following principles:
The aim of the process is to allow each person involved in the dispute the opportunity to be heard and to work with the other party to reach a solution. It is a flexible process which may involve joint meetings or meetings with the mediator alone, depending on the particular situation.
It is best if both parties apply jointly for workplace mediation. Mediation is most effective where both parties agree to participate. If one party does not agree the Workplace Mediation Service will work to get both parties to attend but as it is a voluntary process, participation can not be enforced.
Applications should be made in writing to the Workplace Mediation Service of the Labour Relations Commission by post or by e-mail. The application should include the name and contact details of both parties, the number of people involved and a brief description of the problem.
Tom Johnson House
Haddington Road
Dublin 4
Ireland
Tel:+353 (0)1 613 6700
Fax:+353 (0)1 617 6701
Homepage: http://www.lrc.ie
Email: info@lrc.ie