Mediation in Employment Matters

“The sole purpose of this Practice Direction is to focus parties’ minds on mediation as an option for the resolution of employment disputes.”

“This Practice Direction in relation to mediation clearly envisages what might be described as external mediation. It is without prejudice to the pilot being carried out in England and Wales (which pilot has not been extended to Scotland) in relation to judicial mediation.”

The Lawyer Magazine (11 December 2006) reported that research carried out by the Centre for Dispute Resolution, Lewis Silkin and Barclays, has shown that companies spend on average £277,000 in resolving an employment dispute. However, research shows that the cost could be cut to £9,000 if the dispute is mediated in the early stages.

A survey of 570 business managers from throughout the United Kingdom showed that internal disputes are more common than disputes with customers.

Mediation offers an excellent opportunity to employers and employees, managers and teams, to address difficult situations and tensions speedily, constructively and much less expensively.