Mediation Services definition

Mediation services are designed to solve disputes between employers and employees before the need to resort to expensive legal channels. Mediators will be independent, third-parties with no vested interest.

Mediation is generally undertaken after direct discussions between the employer and employee have failed to result in agreement. Mediators do not have any legal authority and their decisions are not binding. Acas recommends that mediation is not used to address issues that require investigation of facts, such as discrimination or allegations of misconduct.

Mediation is similar to conciliation, except that conciliation is generally favoured when employees believe they are entitled to an employment tribunal, or if an employment tribunal has already been called.