Workplace/Organizational Services
Workplace Services
According to a survey of the American Management Association, managers spend at least 24 percent of their time resolving conflicts at work. These conflicts can have negative effects on employees, managers and the organization as a whole by decreasing job satisfaction and productivity and increasing absenteeism and work related injuries.
The Dispute Resolution Center offers a variety of services to both prevent conflict from occurring and handle conflict when it arises.
Preventative Services Include:
Restorative Services Include:
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Consultation
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Mediation
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Facilitation
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Conflict Coaching
A DRC workplace consultant can help you analyze your current workplace and provide recommendations that best meet your objectives. This can include an on-site consultation to help you problem solve existing conflicts or help you set up conflict resolution processes to address future conflicts and complaints. Contact a consultant at 800-280-4770 or 425-339-1335
Mediation/Facilitation
The assistance of a professional mediator or facilitator working as a neutral within an organization can be immensely successful in helping groups manage conflict situations. By utilizing the skills of a neutral, an organization can repair damaged relationships, increase understanding among employees and create a foundation for future collaborative problem solving. Mediation and facilitation services are designed to improve communication amoung staff and create mutually beneficial solutions to existing disputes.
Mediation services can be utilized in any mutually recognized dispute involving 2-6 people. The mediation will involve two mediators meeting with all parties in the dispute in a private and confidential setting. The mediation can last up to 3 hours and allows everyone an opportunity to vocalize their concerns and mutually problem solve.
Facilitation services often involve larger groups of individuals who are in conflict or simply need assistance in organizing and completing a project. Examples of facilitations could include a neighborhood association working to create new bylaws, the merging of two workplaces or a team working on completing a new project. Facilitation can be used in any situation where an outside neutral facilitator can assist a group in communicating and making decisions.
Training
The DRC offers a nationally acclaimed Basic Professional Mediation Training and Workplace Conflict Management Training, in addition to customized trainings to meet the needs of your group. Trainings include presentations, demonstrations and practice sessions. The practice sessions will utilize situations your employees encounter on a day-to-day basis.
Participants will learn how to:
- Identify Issues and Interests
- Deal with Conflict Styles
- Improve Communication Skills
- Problem-Solve Collaboratively
- Utilize an Eight-Step Mediation Process
- Create Win/Win Solutions
Post-training coaching is available to anyone who wants to discuss any concerns, issues or problem areas to ensure the programs success. You may schedule your training in two to four hour modules or choose an all-day training format.
Ombuds Services
An Ombudsman is an independent and impartial official who provides confidential and informal conflict resolution services to company personnel who experience work-related issues, challenges and problems. In matters brought to her or his attention, the Ombudsman will try to alleviate conditions and facilitate reconciliation among the parties. This reconciliation may include the use of mediation, dialogue, consensus building, fact-finding, coaching, training and other interventions.
The DRC provides Ombudsman services to organizations in two primary ways: by assessing, implementing and providing direct ombudsman services for your organization on a contract basis; or contracting with your company to create and implement an in-house program managed by an ombudsman within your organization. The DRC Ombudsman will work with key stakeholders to determine if an Ombudsman program meets the needs and aligns with the companys core values.
Teambuilding
It is not uncommon for teams to need assistance in creating cohesive and effective working relationships. Working with the DRC can provide individuals within a team an opportunity to learn more about themselves and their colleagues. Teambuilding can include training, one-on-one conflict resolution and exercises and assessments to provide personal insight and improved cooperation.