Mediation services are provided to assist WBG staff and former employees in resolving workplace disputes.
Unlike the legal system, which often pits people against one another, mediation encourages parties to communicate and find their own solutions that meet their needs. Mediation can also be quicker and more cost-effective than going to court.
A seasoned mediator provides the neutral setting for parties to share their views on underlying issues. This can result in a resolution that addresses all of the problems, not just the ones that brought them to the mediator. It can also repair important business and personal relationships that were damaged by the dispute.
The mediator helps the parties identify their interests (what they want to gain from mediation) and their positions (how they expect an interest to be met). During this stage, each party is encouraged to share their feelings about the problem and how it affects them personally and professionally. The mediator then assists the parties in separating their interests from their positions to determine how both can be satisfied.
The mediator also teaches the parties how to create their own resolution. Once the parties have designed their own resolution, the mediator assists them in drafting an agreement that reflects this resolution. If the parties wish to add additional terms beyond what is provided under the ADR Act, they can include those in their written agreement to mediate. The agreement should be signed by all the parties and mailed to the Board for approval.