Mediation Programs Increasingly HR Managers are using mediation (with internal peer panels and with external professional mediators) to stay on top of workplace conflict. The benefits of a mediation program are many: a fair, flexible and fast way to handle employee disputes, significant cost savings, higher productivity, improved worker morale, lower turnover and absenteeism, accessible and user friendly, increased confidence in management, improved communication. Design Issues intergration with investigation procedures, voluntary or mandatory participation, privacy and confidentiality, impartiality of mediators, qualifications and training, accompaniment and representation, disclosure of information, selection of mediators, collective bargaining agreements, retaliation, diversity, philosophy. Reasons to Implement a Mediaiton Program A mediation program may be the solution for your organization if you are concerned about the costs of unmanaged workplace conflict, you are required by law or directive to develop a conflict management system, you are currently dealing with a "workplace conflict crisis" that has the potential for negative publicity, you are committed to tapping the full potential of conflict for constructive change.   Workplace Conflict: Facts and Figures It is estimated that 30% of a managers time is spent dealing with conflict, and that Fortune 500 company executives are involved in litigation related activity 20% of their time. Turnover costs are anywhere between 75% and 150% of an employee's annual salary. Click here to get the latest facts and figures on the cost of conflict and what organizations are doing to reduce litigation and other expenses.