Mediation - An Informal Way to Resolve Conflict in Your Workplace
When conflict arises in your work environment, you can contact Ohio's Workplace Mediation Program (WMP) for help.
The Ohio Commission on Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management is partnering with the Department of Commerce, the Department of Job and Family Services, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, the Ohio Civil Service Employees Association and the Service Employees International Union 1199 to provide employees with a fast, free, confidential means to informally resolve conflict in the workplace.
What is Mediation?
Mediation is an informal, but structured process in which a neutral third party, called a mediator, helps disputing parties work through and resolve problems.The mediator does not give legal advice and does not decide how the dispute should be resolved. Instead, the mediator guides the parties through a process where the issues are discussed, options for resolving the problem are generated, and mutually acceptable solutions for an agreement are considered. The parties control how the problem will be resolved.
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Why Use Mediation?
The WMP is designed to provide state employees with an additional forum to resolve workplace conflicts. It is voluntary, and is not intended to replace or to modify the current dispute resolution procedures introduced through collective bargaining and/or other employee plans.
Mediation offers each party to a dispute an:
- Opportunity to be heard;
- Opportunity to develop new ways of dealing with a problem;
- Opportunity to create their own solution;
- Opportunity to save time, expense and emotional distress of living with unresolved conflict in the workplace.
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Program Endorsements
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Who is Eligible?
The Ohio Workplace Mediation Program is available for use by any state employee.
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How Does the Program Work?
Any party can request mediation. Once a request has been made to your agency coordinator or to the Commission on Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management, mediators are assigned who in turn contact all parties to schedule the mediation session.
The mediation process begins with an introduction where the mediators will ask the parties to agree to some basic ground rules (e.g., only one person speaks at a time, both parties act in good faith, no name calling or shouting, etc.). Each party is given a full opportunity to be heard and to share his/her perspective on the situation at hand. The mediator summarizes this information and:
- assists the parties in defining the issues in the dispute,
- generates options for resolution of the dispute, and
- selects a mutually agreeable solution and helps draft a possible agreement. Because mediation is a voluntary process, any party may withdraw from the process at any time.
Appropriate notice to the mediator and other parties is necessary. Participation in a mediation session does not affect an employee's right to file a formal complaint or grievance. Collective bargaining disputes will not be handled by this program.
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Who are the Mediators?
Mediators are not employees from your department. They are state employees trained in mediation.
Is the Process Confidential?
Information shared during a mediation is confidential, and will not be disclosed unless the mediator(s) and all parties agree to disclosure.
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How to Get Assistance
Mediation services are provided at no charge to the parties. Mediation is a service provided to encourage mutual resolution of workplace conflict. If you would like help to resolve a conflict and are employed by one of these agencies, you can call your coordinator.
- EPA - Karen Haight (614) 644-2104
- DJFS - Jerry Eberlyn (614) 995-7773
- BWC - Toni Brokaw (614) 644-6045
If you are an employee of an agency not in program, please contact:
The Ohio Commission on Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management
Maggie Lewis, Program Coordinator
77 South High Street, 24th Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215
Phone: 614-752-9595
Fax: 614-752-9682
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