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Mediation

Mediation (Alternative Dispute Resolution)

Page Updated: 16 April 2024

University College Dublin is committed to the promotion of an environment which fosters mutual respect and understanding between individuals and its constituent communities. This page provides a brief description of mediation and an overview of the steps involved in initiating the process for employees, managers or students.

Please note, the UCD Dignity and Respect Support Service, as part of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Unit , provides briefings and coordination services in respect of all university mediation requests including those without a dignity and respect aspect. 

What is mediation?

Mediation is a framework for resolving conflict in an informal manner which is impartial and objective, and aims to resolve conflict at the earliest opportunity. Mediation is a voluntary, confidential process that allows two or more disputing parties to resolve their conflict in a mutually agreeable way with the help of a neutral third party, a mediator. 

When is it useful?

Mediation may be useful in circumstances such as:

  • Interpersonal differences, conflicts, and difficulties in working together
  • Breakdown in a working relationship
  • Where it is felt bullying or harassment has taken place

Mediation can be used at any stage in a dispute but is often most effective if used early on in the dispute. The mediator does not tell the parties what to do but rather acts as a facilitator to the process.

Requesting Mediation

Below you will find a brief overview of the process for initiating mediation. This is a summary and the Mediation Alternative Resolution Policy and Mediation Alternative Dispute Resolution Procedure (2024) remain the definitive source of information on the process.

HR privacy statement

Employees & Managers requesting mediation

Mediation is a voluntary process and both parties must agree to engage.

Employee initiated mediation

  • To request mediation, you must contact your line manager (or next level up if the issue is with your line manager) to discuss mediation as a means of resolving the issue.
  • The line manager must be satisfied that all local level options have been exhausted in the first instance
    • see the Dignity & Respect website for a variety of informal options in D&R-related matters
    • contact your line manager for guidance on informal options in cases where there is no D&R aspect
  • If the line manager feels that local resolution options have been exhausted, and that mediation is an option to be explored, they will advise you to contact the Dignity & Respect Support Service for a briefing on mediation so you can obtain further information about the process.
  • Following the briefing, if you wish to proceed with mediation, your line manager should contact should contact the other party to ascertain if they are willing to consider engaging in mediation and to refer them to the Dignity & Respect Support Service to request a mediation briefing.
  • If both parties agree to mediation, the “Request to Enter into Mediation” form must be completed by your manager and sent to respect@ucd.ie. This form must be signed by both the person requesting mediation and the manager.
  • On receipt of the completed form the Dignity and Respect Support Service will commence organising the mediation process with an external mediation provider.

Manager initiated mediation

Mediation may alternatively be instigated by the line manager as a means of resolving issues or restoring the professional relationship between two individuals. Where mediation is initiated by the manager this should be indicated on the Request to Enter into Mediation form and the manager’s signature alone is required.

Formal complaints

In the case of a formal complaint under UCD’s Bullying and Harassment policy, the Dignity and Respect Screening Panel may recommend that the parties explore the option of mediation prior to an investigation commencing.  It is advised that they attend a briefing on the mediation process which is provided by the Dignity and Respect Support Service so that they can make a fully informed decision as to whether they wish to enter into mediation. The decision remains with the parties as to whether they agree to enter into the process due to its voluntary nature.

Students requesting mediation

Mediation is a voluntary process and both parties must agree to engage.

Student initiated mediation

  • To engage in the mediation process with another student or employee, you should discuss the situation with your Student Adviser in the first instance. Where there is no D&R aspect to the matter, they will provide information and guidance on informal resolution options.
  • If the issue is of a dignity and respect nature then you will be referred to the Dignity & Respect Support Service where you will be advised of the various options open to you for resolution, including mediation.
  • If appropriate, you will be advised by your Student Adviser or D&R Support Adviser, to request a briefing on the mediation process from the respect@ucd.ie. 
  • Following the briefing, if you wish to proceed with mediation, the D&R Support Adviser will support you to ascertain if the other party is willing to consider engaging in mediation.
  • If the other party, following a mediation briefing, is willing to engage in mediation you should contact your Head of School (or their nominee) to discuss mediation as a means of resolving the issues.  The D&R Support Adviser can support students to have this conversation.
  • Where the Head of School (or their nominee) is satisfied that all local level options have been exhausted, that both parties have been properly informed and that they both wish to engage in mediation they can approve mediation by signing the ‘Request to Enter into Mediation’ form.  The form should also be signed by the person requesting mediation.
  • On receipt of the completed  “Request to Enter into Mediation” form the Dignity and Respect Support Service will commence organising the mediation process with an external mediation provider.

 Formal complaints

  • In the case of a formal complaint under UCD’s Bullying and Harassment policy, the Dignity and Respect Screening Panel may recommend that the parties explore the option of mediation prior to an investigation commencing. It is advised that they attend a briefing on the mediation process which is provided by the Dignity and Respect Support Service so that they can make a fully informed decision as to whether they wish to enter into mediation. The decision remains with the parties as to whether they agree to enter into the process due to its voluntary nature.
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Aisling Pierce, Acrux Consulting
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Ray Flaherty, Acrux Consulting
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Ber Barry Murray, Roundtable
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Carol Jarrett, Acrux Consulting
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Gerry Rooney, Acrux Consulting
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Caroline Reidy, HR Suite
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Roger McGrath, Acrux Consulting

Mediation is a voluntary process and both parties must agree to engage.

Employee initiated mediation

  • To request mediation, you must contact you line manager (or next level up if the issue is with your line manager) to discuss mediation as a means of resolving the issues.
  • The line manager must be satisfied that all local level options have been exhausted in the first instance (see the Dignity & Respect website for a variety of informal options).
  • If the line manager feels that mediation is an option to be explored, they will advise you to contact the EDI Unit for a briefing on mediation so you can obtain further information about the process.
  • Following the briefing, if you wish to proceed with mediation, your line manager should contact should contact the other party to ascertain if they are willing to consider engaging in mediation.
  • If both parties agree to mediation, the “Request to Enter into Mediation” form must be completed by your manager and sent to edi@ucd.ie.
  • On receipt of the completed form, the EDI manager will contact the line manager(s) to confirm that all local level interventions have been attempted before organising the mediation process with an external mediator.

Manager initiated mediation

Mediation may alternatively be instigated by the line manager as a means of resolving issues or restoring the professional relationship between two individuals.

Formal complaints

In the case of a formal complaint, both parties to the complaint are encouraged to explore the option of mediation prior to an investigation commencing if they have not already done so. It is advised that they attend a briefing on the mediation process which is provided by the Dignity and Respect Support Service so that they can make a fully informed decision as to whether they wish to enter into mediation. The decision remains with the parties as to whether they agree to enter into the process due to its voluntary nature.

Mediation is a voluntary process and both parties must agree to engage.

Student initiated mediation

  • To engage in the mediation process with another student or employee, you should discuss the situation with your Student Adviser in the first instance.
  • If the issue is of a dignity and respect nature then you will be referred to the Dignity & Respect Support Service where you will be advised of the various options open to you for resolution, including mediation.
  • If appropriate, you will be advised to request a briefing on the mediation process from the EDI Unit (edi@ucd.ie).
  • If both parties agree to mediation, the EDI Unit will arrange for the mediation process to commence, mediation cannot take place unless both parties agree.

 Formal complaints

  • In the case of a formal complaint, both parties to the complaint are encouraged to explore the option of mediation prior to an investigation commencing if they have not already done so. It is advised that they attend a briefing on the mediation process which is provided by the Dignity and Respect Support Service so that they can make a fully informed decision as to whether they wish to enter into mediation. The decision remains with the parties as to whether they agree to enter into the process due to its voluntary nature.

Contact UCD Equality Diversity and Inclusion

University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
E: edi@ucd.ie