Dispute Resolution

Dispute Resolution

85% of employees at all levels experienced conflict within the workplace to some degree, with 29% of employees reporting they frequently experienced conflict (2008 CPP Global Human Capital Report ).

Conflict is a normal and natural aspect of relationships. While conflict is generally considered counter-productive, it may also be positive and beneficial in that it can clarify goals, relieve tensions, open communications and resolve problems. When conflict becomes negative in can be damaging to all parties involved and costly to an organisation.

  • When left unresolved conflict directs employees energy away from real tasks resulting in:

    • increased stress levels;
    • increased unplanned absenteeism;
    • time wasting;
    • impact on staff personal life;
    • low morale;
    • decreased productivity;
    • poor teamwork;
    • reduced creativity and lost innovation;
    • silo mentality;
    • aggravation from minor incidents;
    • obstructive behaviour;
    • lack of trust;
    • brand damage; and
    • poor customers service resulting low customer satisfaction ~ all at a high cost to the organisation.

 

It is estimated that approximately $359 billion is lost in unpaid hours due to organisational conflict in the US alone.

 

What is Dispute Resolution?

Dispute resolution has become increasingly important over the past 30 years with greater recognition and understanding of negotiation, mediation, conciliation, facilitation and otheralternatives to the use of litigation in resolving and managing conflict.

 

How you define Dispute Resolution depends on how you define resolution. Some people define resolution as when a decision has been made. We strongly believe that true dispute resolution is about mutual agreement. For this to be achieved, every person involved needs to be party to the decision. What follows on from this is that parties involved in the decision are more likely to take ownership, commit and follow through’.

Workplace Disputes

What are the benefits of dispute resolution in the workplace? Resolving the dispute/grievance at the workplace level has considerable benefits:

    • Can save time and considerable amounts in advocacy or legal expenses by avoiding litigation;
    • Productivity losses resulting from the dispute/grievance will be minimised;
    • The parties have control of the process: allowing them to come up with their own solutions and agreements;
    • It creates a culture in which the parties have the confidence to resolve issues themselves;
    • The parties have a consistent frame of reference for dealing with disputes and grievances;
    • It is quicker and less formal than an industrial tribunal or court hearing; and
    • Discussions that reality test can take place in an informal forum, where legal engagement is avoided.

Brisbane Dispute Resolution provide:

  • Negotiation of employment agreements
  • Review existing policy and procedures, and when appopriate develop best practice policy and procedures
  • Review your organisational culture and identify risks related to conflict
  • Develop employees ability to manage conflict within the workplace and with clients

According to CPP Global’s Human Capital Report 2008*, the most common denominator to successful conflict resolution is formal training

Provides a range of Brisbane Dispute Resolution Services:

  • Mediation;
  • Commercial Negotiation;
  • Community Facilitations;
  • Conflict Assessments;
  • Conflict Management Systems;
  • Conflict Coaching;
  • Conflict Prevention; and
  • Restorative Practice.