6 Steps Structure of a Face-to-tace Mediation Meeting - by Pofessional Mediation Resolutions (PMR) Ltd

PMR: SIX STEP STRUCTURE OF A FACE-TO-FACE MEDIATION MEETING
(After mediator has had individual meetings with the parties involved)
I. INTRODUCTIONS/GROUNDRULES

• Positive welcome and affirming
• Confirm the purpose of the mediation and their wish to resolve
• Agree groundrules ie no interrupting, respect for each other
• Any questions
II. HEARING THE STORY
(Communication through the mediator)

• 'What is the issue from your point of view ?'
• Mediator listens and summarises back

III. IDENTIFYING THE ISSUES
(Communication through the mediator and together)

• Clarifying the underlying issues
• Summarise and prioritise

IV. COMMUNICATING FEELINGS
(Through the mediator and with each other)

• 'How does this make you feel ?'
• Encouraging mutual understanding and honest communication

V. BRAINSTORMING AND IDENTIFYING SOLUTIONS
(Together)

• 'What are you willing to offer towards a solution?'
• ‘What needs to happen for things to improve between you?’
• Brainstorming all kinds of possible win/win solutions
• Clarifying mutually agreed solutions
• Checking the details of the agreements

VI. SIGNING THE AGREEMENT

• Mediator writes up the voluntary agreements for parties to sign
(more unusually, agreements may be verbal only if agreed beforehand)
• A follow-up meeting is agreed at a future date with the
mediator to see how the agreements are working out

MAIN PRINCIPLES OF WORKPLACE MEDIATION

• voluntary

• solution/agreement focused

• mediator is impartial and does not take sides

• the parties themselves come up with the agreements

• confidential

• if unsuccessful, formal or legal procedures may be invoked