Why HR is missing a trick with mediation

Mediation can improve staff productivity and morale, according to Andrew Dane.

He is a mediation specialist, and a Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development, as well as an employment law expert. He spoke to Executive Grapevine about how workplace conflicts can tear offices apart, and explained how mediation can be used by HR to calm delicate situations.

Dane explained how a lack of flexible working conditions, damage to the organisation's credibility and even inept management can all lead to a loss of productivity and morale. However, he notes that the more hidden and immediate danger is stress, which in turn can lead to depression and anxiety.

“This has the effect of staff missing deadlines, projects not being completed on time and low staff morale,” comments Dane. “Staff that are stressed are more susceptible to becoming ill, which can mean high sickness rates and increased workloads for existing staff. At its most damaging, conflict in the workplace results in high staff turnover, damage to the credibility of the organisation and on occasion, violence amongst staff.