The DAS Workplace Mediation Program A FAST, FREE & CONFIDENTIAL Resource for State Employees in Conflict

Mediation: An Informal Way to Resolve Conflict in Your Workplace.
When conflict arises between people in your agency, section or workgroup, you can contact DAS's Workplace Mediation Program (WMP) for help. The program provides employees with a FAST, FREE, CONFIDENTIAL way to informally resolve workplace conflict. The WMP is designed to provide state employees with an additional forum to resolve workplace conflicts. It is voluntary, and is not intended to replace or to modify the current dispute resolution procedures introduced through collective bargaining and/or other employee plans. The WPM program is conducted in partnership with the Ohio Commission on Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management.

Is Mediation Confidential?
Yes, information shared during mediation is confidential (ORC 2317.023), and will not be disclosed unless the mediator(s) and all parties agree to disclosure.

What is Mediation?
Mediation is an informal, but structured process in which a neutral third party, called a mediator, helps disputing parties work through and resolve problems. The mediator does not give legal advice and does not decide how the dispute should be resolved. Instead, the mediator guides the parties through a process where the issues are discussed, options for resolving the problem are generated, and mutually acceptable solutions for an agreement are considered. The parties control how the problem will be resolved. Mediators are trained state employees. They are not employees from your department. Mediation offers each party to a dispute an:

• Opportunity to be heard;
• Opportunity to develop new ways of dealing with a problem;
• Opportunity to create their own solution;
• Opportunity to save time, expense and emotional distress of living with unresolved conflict in the workplace.

What Happens in a Mediation?
Any DAS employee can request mediation-employee, supervisor, or co-worker. Once a request has been made to your agency coordinator, mediators from another department are assigned. These neutral mediators, in turn, contact all parties to schedule the mediation session. The mediation process begins with an introduction where the mediators will ask the parties to agree to some basic ground rules (e.g. only one person speaks at a time, both parties act in good faith, no name calling or shouting etc.). Each party is given a full opportunity to be heard and to share his/her perspective on the situation at hand. The mediator summarizes
this information and assists the parties in:

1. Defining the issues in the dispute,
2. Generating options for resolution of the dispute, and
3. Selecting a mutually agreeable solution and drafting a possible agreement.

Because mediation is a voluntary process, any party may withdraw from the process at anytime. Appropriate notice to the mediator and other parties is necessary. Participation in a mediation session does not affect an employee's right to file a formal complaint or grievance. This program DOES NOT handle collective bargaining disputes.

How can I use the program to resolve my conflict?
Mediation services are provided by trained mediators FREE OF CHARGE to ALL DAS EMPLOYEES. Mediation is a service provided to encourage mutual resolution of workplace conflict. If you would like help to resolve a conflict, call:

Kaz Obrietan , DAS Workplace Mediation Coordinator
(614) 728-5478
kaz.obrietan@das.state.oh.us

Benefits of the Workplace Mediation Program:

Debbie King
Chapter President ODJFS 2599
"The Workplace Mediation Program has provided a confidential option that allows employees to come up with their own solutions. We've found it to be a successful tool in preserving on-the-job relationships within ODJFS."

Shirley Hubbert
Chapter President BWC
"Workplace Mediation is one of the best programs that has been implemented, BWC has been very successful with the program and the results."

The Ohio Commission on Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management:
Click here for more information about the Workplace Mediation Program.