Employment Relations Forum

Overview

Join Acas North West for this half day networking event where Acas Senior Business Advisers will be joined by guest speakers to discuss mediation as a method of conflict resolution. 

This event will explore:

• What is mediation?
• When is it appropriate to use mediation?
• How does mediation work?
• Benefits and risks of mediation

It will feature a case law update from an employment law solicitor, and you will have the opportunity to discuss and work through issues affecting your workplace, guided by Acas Senior Business Advisers.

Business Need

Conflict can happen in any employment relationship. When it arises, it can impact employee morale, motivation, and productivity and lead to an increase in absence and staff turnover.

When introduced correctly, mediation is a quicker and more cost-effective approach to rebuilding employee relations than formal discipline and grievance procedures.

This networking event will help you understand how mediation may benefit your workplace.

Suitable For

Delegates from all sectors of work, including: 

• line managers, supervisors and team leaders
• HR professionals
• business owners
• Trade Union/employee representatives
• individuals who wish to further their professional development

Programme

This event will include:

• An introduction to a five- stage model of mediation
• Conversation around when it is and is not appropriate to use mediation, including benefits and risks of doing so
• Key principles of mediation and how these differ from facilitated conversations
• Transferable skills used during mediation than can benefit other areas of working life
• Chris Sharkey, from the BMA, will provide their reflections on how mediation has impacted in their organisation and share some of her experiences as a workplace mediator
• Case law update from an employment solicitor

The event will be followed with lunch and the opportunity to network with delegates from other local organisations.