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Mediation Services

Conflict in the workplace can have a huge impact on an individual’s mental and physical wellbeing. Colleagues and the organisation can also suffer. At Altius Group, our trained and expert Allied Health team use a range of tools to assist in preventing tensions from escalating at work, management of conflicts when they arise and methods to resolve conflicts in the workplace setting.

Conflict Resolution services are used in our Organisational Psychology, Return to Work and Employee Assistance Programs.

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Our Mediation Services

Facilitated Discussion

Talking about a problem is the first step in resolution. Facilitated discussion is a short-term intervention used to identify areas of misunderstanding and prevent disputes from occurring. It is useful when there is tension between individuals around different viewpoints. It is generally used for simple or short-term disputes, including issues related to processes, suitable duties or a return to work plan. 

Our facilitated discussions are run by an experienced mediator. It usually involves a pre-meeting with both parties to identify issues, confirm agreement to attend the discussion, and develop an agenda. The facilitated discussion then occurs as a flexible conversation. Both parties will have the chance to discuss options and sign an agreement, giving them a solution to move forward. Finally, a report will be provided by the mediator. 

Having an Altius Group conflict specialist facilitate discussions:

  • Can support communication between the employee and employer in the case of injured employees, to help achieve a healthy and safe return to work. 
  • Provides an objective third party who can help keep discussions constructive and positive to ensure the environment is a safe and supportive one.
  • Ensures everyone is heard and a positive outcome is achieved.

Conflict Resolution

Conflict resolution is a suite of interventions including conflict counselling, facilitation, mediation and coaching. 

To help resolve conflicts we provide a one-on-one service focussed upon empowering the participant to explore alternative ways in which to view the dispute. 

People in dispute sometimes have difficulty seeing the conflict outside of their perspective. By exploring different perspectives, participants can see options that they may not have previously explored and ways in which they can manage the conflict, their reactions, and potentially future interactions, more productively.

Altius Group Conflict Resolution Services:

  • Are delivered by our conflict coaches, who are psychologists and allied health professionals who are also trained or experienced mediators.
  • Assist organisations to resolve conflicts before they escalate into expensive problems.

Mediation

Mediation is used to resolve ongoing disputes between parties. These tend to be entrenched and long-term disputes. Mediation is suitable after other avenues to address the issue, such as escalating to a line manager or HR, have not been successful. As well as managing colleague disputes, mediation is used in workers' compensation and return to work cases. 

Our registered psychologists and Allied Health team run the mediation sessions. Unlike facilitated discussions that use a more flexible approach, mediation follows a very structured process. Firstly, there is a pre-mediation session with each party to identify issues and barriers, challenge beliefs, and confirm agreement to the mediation session. The mediation session then takes 4-6 hours and will involve both individual and joint sessions. During this time, our mediators will explore issues to shift mindset, understand issues from both perspectives and explore options for agreement. The outcome is a documented agreement that can be shared with insurers.

Altius Group’s trained and skilled mediators:

  • Empower individuals to have their grievances heard and guide them in resolving the problem. Conflict is best resolved when the people involved understand the issues, feel that their needs have been heard and are provided options to move forward. 
  • Allow conflicts to be resolved in a safe and controlled environment, with a professional to guide the process.
  • Are psychologists experienced in dealing with all forms of workplace conflict and disputes and facilitating a positive outcome for all involved.
  • Have experience mediating disputes arising from misunderstandings through to a conflict between employees’ ways of working, personalities, culture, religious beliefs, and political views.
Mediation F altius group

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Why choose Altius Group for your Mediation Services?

Our mediators aren’t just good listeners, they’re qualified allied health professionals with specialist mediation training and experience.

We understand how to facilitate a mediation based on what a workplace requires.

A successful resolution can save costly workers’ compensation claims and help staff return to work faster.

We have over 20 years' experience delivering evidence-based, personalised service.
We have over 10 years of experience in finding solutions to workplace conflict.

Frequently Asked Questions

Workplace mediation involves a facilitated discussion between two colleagues that are facing a dispute or conflict. The trained mediator is external and impartial to the situation. The goal of workplace mediation is for the individuals to come to a resolution to move forward.

The facilitated discussion is an 8-hour capped service. Mediation typically involves hours to coordinate the pre-mediation session, 4-6 hours for the mediation session and 2-4 hours of additional service if needed.

Yes, our mediators are recognised through the National Mediation Accreditation Standards (NMAS).
A third party can assist the process because they are seen to be neutral rather than favouring one party. A manager may be seen to favour one individual or the best interests of the organisation. A psychologist has the skills and experience to achieve a resolution that a person in-house may be missing.