Over the past decade we have witnessed a significant increase in awareness and understanding of the benefits of using mediation as an approach when resolving conflicts and disputes. The Mediation Act 2017 (which came into force in 1st January 2018) presents a new legislative basis for mediation practice and regulation in Ireland.
Organisations are recognising that unresolved disputes and inappropriately managed workplace conflict impacts upon workplace effectiveness and places an on-going drain on organisational resources. Not uncommonly, cases referred to third parties for resolution do not produce satisfactory outcomes for the parties involved.
There is a growing awareness that Mediation, as an alternative mechanism for dispute resolution, has a key role to play in conflict resolution within organisations at many levels including interpersonal, team based, inter-departmental / agency / organisational. It is also viewed as a useful and effective approach to use in managing difficult conversations in the workplace.
This two-day Mediation Skills for Managers training programme is designed to give participants an understanding of conflict and different approaches to managing conflict, awareness of their own style, where mediation sits within the range of alternative dispute resolution approaches, an introduction to the theory and practice of mediation as well as an understanding of the mediation model and relevant skills.