Thankfully the majority of the workplace disputes we have mediated have led to the employees being able to resolve their differences. Have they become best of friends? In most of the cases, not at all. However, what our workplace mediators have achieved is, aiding and creating more effective communication between the employees.

This has led to fewer or no more misunderstandings, miscommunications and led to a better understanding of one another’s triggers and boundaries. So, no they have not become best friends, not gone down the pub with one another, nor shared lunch breaks. However, they can now work alongside one another in a professional manner. Without the fear of there being an issue, episode every ten minutes.

As we spend the majority of our time at work, it is not surprising that workplace disputes have such a profound effect on employees. From the dread of going into work, to employees just resigning.

From some of the cases that we have mediated, some individuals have been left mentally permanently scarred by the toxic culture, shocking behaviours and conduct of other employees.

In our 23 years of mediating, we have seen it all, from;

  • Best of friends becoming enemies.
  • Romantic relationships souring, turning the employees against one another.
  • Sexual advances being denied, (male, female, same sex), whereby the spurned has made the other employees life hell.
  • Minor miscommunications / misunderstandings spiralling out of control, turning into a magnitude of issues, all of which were totally unnecessary.

One particular case stands out, employee one misheard employee two, and thought they made a racist comment about a famous actor. Employee one took it personally as their partner was of that race. In her mind this was directed at her, and her partner.

In fact, at the mediation, it transpired that employee two had not said what employee one thought she heard, this being confirmed by employee three who was sitting on the next table.

This led to a number of issues between the two, whereby they were unable to work alongside one another. Workplace mediation was arranged, within six hours the dispute was resolved. This dispute had gone on for nearly two years.

It just shows if employees communicated with one another more effectively, a tremendous amount could be achieved. But then there would not be a need for us to mediate?!