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Written by Chris Rowe
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Mediation is a private process, and for that reason I do not discuss or write about actual cases I have mediated. For that reason the following scenario is fictional, but it reflects the type of issues and options for resolution which I have experienced in the many and varied mediations I have conducted.
The Chair of the Board of an organization is becoming concerned about a squabble between two senior employees which is affecting interactions within the organization and with its Board. The Board need an independent mediator to work with the two employees so that operations would not continue to be affected by the issues.
The Chair of the Board advises that the two employees have agreed in principle to mediate. Having satisfied the Chair that I am available and that there is nothing to prevent my working with the two employees who have now been named, I arrange to meet with the two employees separately at a neutral location.
I meet Party A first.
Party A agrees that there are issues between her and Party B (her boss), and she really wants it resolved because she feels “unsafe” at work.” Party A tells me that she and Party B have been longstanding friends and colleagues, and that problems have arisen because she had agreed to lend Party B some money to get him out of a tight financial spot, and Party B had not repaid the money as promised by the previous Christmas.
Party A tells me the Board has no knowledge of the loan arrangement between her and Party B. It is a private matter which became nasty when Party A wrote a formal letter to Party B asking for the money immediately, or she would initiate debt collection. According to Party A, after receiving the letter, Party B became aggressive and threatening towards Party A, and she felt unsafe at work. Where previously the two employees worked effectively and collaboratively, they are now at loggerheads. Party A says it is clear to her that if the Board do not see some resolution, one of them will be fired, and she thinks it will be her because she is “expendable”.
When I ask Party A how she thinks this could be resolved, she says if the money is repaid, that will help, but that Party B’s threatening behaviour would also need to be addressed.
Party A confirms that she is okay to meet with Party B with me present as Mediator.
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