Human Resources Division
Internal Mediation Service
What is mediation?
Mediation is a well established process for resolving disagreements in which an impartial third party (the mediator) helps two or more people in dispute to attempt to reach an agreement and find a mutually acceptable resolution. The University of Cambridge uses co-mediation which involves the allocation of two mediators per case.
Who are the mediators and what is their role?
Mediators are members of staff, drawn from a variety of backgrounds and roles throughout the University who, as volunteers, have received training in mediation skills in order to assist with the resolution of difficulties between individual members of staff.
The objective of mediation is to provide a supportive structure for the parties to get together to try and agree a way forward which will enable them to restore a positive and productive working relationship. In order to reach agreement, the parties must be willing and able to engage fully and openly in the process, which is completely confidential.
What a mediator can do
- Help the parties individually to analyse the problem and decide what they wish to achieve
- Help the parties to discuss jointly and to reach common ground
What a mediator cannot do
- Solve the problem for the parties
- Act as an intermediary between the parties and their institution(s)
- Make any judgement about the case
Why should I take part in mediation?
Mediation is particularly helpful in resolving interpersonal disputes due to its common-sense approach. In particular mediation:
- Gives those involved an opportunity to step back and think about how they could put the situation right. This can mean looking at their own behaviour as well as that of others.
- Focuses on the future, with an emphasis on rebuilding relationships rather than apportioning blame for what has happened in the past.
- Enables participants to come up with their own practical solution that will benefit all sides.
- Allows participants to rebuild relationships as they work together to find an agreement.
- Mediation can be attempted at any stage of a dispute. If mediation is unsuccessful, the parties remain free to proceed to formal procedures.