With increasing employment litigation, many people are now opting to look for alternative conflict resolution strategies. Employees who are victims of discrimination, wrongful termination, or non-compete disputes are now starting to look at mediation as a better way to settle disagreements, for it is cheaper and quicker. Here are ways to make the process more efficient.
Get your opponent to agree to mediation
When you’re dealing with employment mediation, the first critical task is to convince your opponent that mediation is the best way to resolve the conflict. Show the other party that mediation signals strength, not weakness. And, since the mediator is a neutral third party, the people involved can hope to benefit from an unbiased opinion. You can find an array of law firms offering judicial arbitration and mediation services that you can tap when the need arises.
Choose a reliable mediator
Your choice of a mediator is crucial as it will determine the outcome of the entire process. You want someone with the skills to set a favorable tone of the mediation and with the experience to navigate through the complex nuances of an employment dispute. Remember both parties may be bitter, so a mediator should have the ability to guide them to an amicable solution.
Understand the case
It is crucial to fully comprehend the issues at hand before starting the mediation process. So go through the discovery and analysis stages of the case carefully so you can relay it more convincingly to the other party. Don’t skimp on this part of the case as you try to save more money. That could make it easier for your opponent to bluff and put you at a disadvantage during settling.
Spend only what you need to
While it is important to understand the crucial facts of the case before commencing mediation, don’t spend too much money in doing so. Keep in mind that the settlement will involve financial aspects. If you spend too much money, you may not be able to settle.
With mediation becoming more popular when settling employment disputes, the need to understand the process better will continue to increase. By making the right decisions, you can make the process smoother, quicker, and more affordable.
