'Nipping it in the Bud' - Mediation Services

The Department has contracted OSA Group to assist with effectively managing conflict and therefore reduce the potential number of workers' compensation occupational stress claims. However, it is expected that staff will continue to successfully resolve conflict at the local level in the first instance.

The three main components of the mediation service include:

Mediation Training.
Mediation Consultancy.
Independent Mediation.

Mediation services can be used in the Department for:

Managing interpersonal conflicts between members of staff (for example, colleagues, principals or line managers).
Advice in dealing with conflicts between teams or departments.

Since April 2000, OSA Group and the Fremantle Education District have been conducting a mediation program with great success and now the program is being implemented on a state-wide basis.

The provision of this mediation service is provided free to schools through Employee Support Services. All associated cost (i.e. travel, relief, accommodation) are to be funded by individual schools or District Office budgets.

Mediation may be thought of as assisted negotiation.

Negotiation may be thought of as communications for agreement.

Hence, mediation is assisted communications for agreement.

"Nipping it in the Bud" Back to top

To assist and support all staff in the management of workplace conflict, OSA Group and the Department are running an early intervention program - Nipping it in the Bud. This follows a particular workplace mediation model which is used as the basis both for external mediation service and for mediation training and consultancy to support internal intervention.

Internal Intervention Back to top

The first step in managing conflict is to try and resolve it internally. OSA Group can provide line managers with advice and support during this process. Internal intervention may not be successful or appropriate in every case.

In these situations, external consultation at the earliest opportunity can be beneficial. External assistance is available by contacting the respective Manager of District Operations or OSA Group.

Nipping it in the Bud gives you access to consultants who will be able to assess and advise you as to what options are most appropriate to your situation. Services available include:

The needs analysis phase involves discussing the situation with an OSA Group consultant in order for them to assess:

At the conclusion of the discussion with key parties, the options for resolving the conflict will have been clarified. If appropriate, and if the parties in conflict agree, pre-mediation meetings may follow.

The purpose of the pre-mediation phase is to assess whether the conflict can be resolved through mediation. It involves a confidential interview with each of the parties in dispute to:

The consultant will provide a brief verbal report to the referring person (usually a manager). If mediation is not deemed appropriate, the consultant will work with the referring person to generate other options. The parties in dispute will be kept informed.

Mediation proceeds if parties display commitment, have the necessary interpersonal skills and are willing to resolve the problems between them. A qualified consultant facilitates the mediation. To facilitate the mediation outcome:

A copy of the agreement and outcomes (work related) are given to each participant and the relevant manager.

Consultants can provide information, consultancy and coaching via telephone or e-mail to assist Principals/Line Managers to facilitate mediation at the local level.

To assist in evaluating the effectiveness of the program, all parties involved in the process will be asked to assist in evaluation at each stage of the intervention.

One and two day training courses are available for Principals and Line Managers to enhance their understanding and effectiveness is early interventions in conflict including mediation.

To speak to an Occupational Services Consultant call 9225 4522 or visit their website OSA Group.