Workplace Mediation Services

Are you feeling caught in the middle of your employees’ differences?

Are employees complaining about disparate treatment, unfair practices, and not getting their needs met…all while the work isn’t getting done?

Feeling a lack of support from your leadership and not sure where to turn?

It's time to re-imagine how you’re managing your people!

Download the mediation brochure

Trust the process!

Mediation is a structured, interactive process where an impartial third party assists parties in resolving relationship conflicts through the use of specialized communication and negotiation techniques.

The goal is to repair, restore and improve damaged relations, particularly when ongoing partnerships are essential.

And, mediation is successful 80-90% of the time, regardless of the issues or settings involved. Here’s why…

It is a confidential dispute resolution (DR) process.
Facilitated by a neutral | impartial facilitator with no vested interest in the outcome except for resolution.
It is a process designed to guide people to self-determination on outcomes without coercion from the mediator or by any participant in the mediation.

Know you have a problem but not sure where and how to start?

The video below helps you better understand the process.

Fill in the form to get started

It takes a lot of courage to reach out and talk about some of the challenges Leaders like you face in the workplace. Please fill in the form above with as many details as possible, and I will follow up with an email. We will then schedule a meeting to discuss the best solution to move forward.

Have a conflict? Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) and E-Mediation (E-Med) available Worldwide

Mediation to resolve disputes goes back decades. So why go online now?

Mediation is a voluntary process of resolving disputes with the assistance of a neutral 3rd party.

Research shows that the transition to ODR and E-Med has led to greater satisfaction, efficiency, and resolution than what was gained through traditional in-person mediation processes.

Using online technology is like the 4th party to the process, saving time and money.

The benefits are many:

Reducing the discomfort experienced when meeting in person
Reaches across geographical differences in locations
Easier to schedule making it more cost- and time-effective
Improves the speed to resolution
Takes advantage of technology beyond typical work applications

Source: Harvard Law School

NOTE: In-person mediation remains available upon request.

Examples of Dispute Resolution services include the following:

Ombuds 1:1 Conflict & Leadership Coaching

The name “ombudsman” (om budz man) comes from Swedish and literally means “representative.” As Dr. D is 1/3 Swedish and 2/3 Norwegian, guiding others in seeking resolution comes naturally.

What does an ombuds do?

1. works with individuals and groups within an organization to explore and assist them with options to help resolve conflicts, problematic issues or concerns,

2. brings systemic concerns to the attention of the organization for resolution.

1:1 Conflict Coaching is quite similar and yet different. Conflict Coaching is designed to help individuals work through difficult situations to either help them prepare for the possibility of mediation and/or guide them through communicating with someone with whom they are having differences.

Mediation & Team-Building Facilitation

Mediation is a structured, interactive process where an impartial third party assists disputing parties in resolving conflict through the use of specialized communication and negotiation techniques.

Known as a "party-centered" process, it’s an opportunity to focus on the needs, rights, and interests of the parties in dispute. A variety of specialized techniques are employed by the mediator to guide the process in a constructive direction to help the parties find the optimal solution(s) for ‘both-gain’ outcomes.

Sometimes, a team is conflicted due to differing styles of communication and modes of interaction. Team facilitation is similar to mediation in that team members are guided through ‘crucial conversations’ to uncover underlying needs and concerns while paving the way to re-imagined futures.

In both cases, the goal is to repair, restore and improve damaged relations when ongoing partnerships are essential.

The Interactive Process

The prevalence of medical conditions impacting people’s abilities to ‘be at work, stay at work, and perform work’ is increasing exponentially and for a whole lot of reasons.

How we work with employees experiencing sensitive conditions (driven by medical concerns and strongly-held religious beliefs), while helping preserve their ability to work and meeting the business needs of their employers, is tantamount to preserving their dignity, motivation and commitment to work.

The interactive process is designed to do exactly that – provide a confidential, conversation between the employee and the employer facilitated by a third-party neutral – to mutually explore the impact of the ‘condition’ on one’s ability to work.

Learn more about our Interactive Process Facilitation services from this page.

Dispute Resolution Learning & Communication Workshops

Passionate about teaching, Dr. D has long brought education and awareness to employees and employers on many different levels.

Whether she’s a Professor at a University or a Workshop Trainer in a public offering or through on-site delivery with an employer, Dr. D enriches the lives of participants through innovative content, interactive exercises and the latest in research findings.

Examples of training include but are not limited to the following:

• Manager in the Middle – Working through Employee Conflicts

• Cultural Competency in Today’s Work World – A new look at Diversity & Inclusion

• Coaching & Feedback Forward

• The Hybrid World of Today & Tomorrow

• Disability Etiquette & The Interactive Process

Where to begin?

It’s easy to get started.

Complete the Form

Answer a few questions so our talk time is as productive as possible. I will follow up with a ‘Strategy Session’ to explore your challenges and uncover the options available.

Fill in the form

Design a Plan

We create a plan with specific objectives for who’s involved, how to proceed, and a timeline for implementation.

Implement the Plan

The parties are guided in pre-mediation preparation, facilitated through real-time mediation, and guided in developing an action plan for resolution to carry forward.

Work the Plan

Dr. D follows up on the ‘Action Plan’ to ensure the success of implementation, reduction of conflict, and restoration of relationships. It's about re-imagining the future!

Download Dr. D's CV & Bio

Dr. Debra Dupree

Employment Mediator - Workplace | Workforce Conflict Consultant

Dr. D is passionate about making a difference for people in conflict.

Growing up in a family-owned business, she saw first-hand how leadership conflicts were destructive to peers, employees, customer relations, and the bottom line.

With nearly 30 years of experience, Debra brings a unique perspective and skillset to ‘people differences’ as a Behavioral Health Specialist and Mediator. For the last 20 years, she's specialized in mediating Title VII protected class disputes under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 when discrimination, harassment and hostile workplace practices are claimed.

She's worked with financial institutions, school districts, government agencies (federal, state and local), and family-owned businesses of all sizes, just to name a few.

Learn more about people in conflict!

1 in 10 people has difficulties in approaching conflict with a solution-oriented mindset. Learn how you can facilitate resolution in your team!

My intent is to empower you - leaders from all walks of life - to make a change in your workplace and among your clientele, one conversation at a time.

TESTIMONIAL

IVNA CURI, MBA

CEO, ASSERTIVEWAY.COM

I had the pleasure of co-hosting two podcast episodes with Ivna Curi, and I must say, it was a truly enlightening experience. As a conflict resolution and mediation expert, I was impressed by Ivna's depth of knowledge and expertise in the area of assertive communication, speaking up, and open communication in the workplace....