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 ine 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 comfirm 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.