Employers' Forum on Disability NI

Mediation Service

What is mediation?

Mediation is a process to help people in conflict to reach agreement.

The aim of the Employers' Forum on Disability (NI) Mediation Service is to assist organisations and individuals to resolve disability related conflict.   The conflict may include employment and/or customer service issues.

Solutions to the conflict come from the participants.   The mediators guide and facilitate the process, but it is participants who make suggestions and reach agreement themselves on a voluntary basis.

Our mediators are fully trained and have extensive disability best practice experience.   The Employers' Forum on Disability (NI) is an independent, not for profit organisation.

What are the benefits of mediation?

Mediation helps to:

•  avoid costly litigation

•  solve conflicts

•  promote good relations

According to recent research disability discrimination cases continue to attract the highest levels of compensation.

Tribunals may look at whether mediation was attempted and request that mediation is undertaken before proceeding.

What does it involve?

There are two stages to mediation:

Stage 1: Preliminary Consultation

This determines whether the process is suitable for mediation and:

•  saves unnecessary time and expense for the employer

•  leads to a higher success rate

Estimated timescale: up to 4 hours

Member Rate: £250 plus VAT and expenses

Non-member Rate: £290 plus VAT and expenses

Stage 2: Mediation Meetings

These are individual and joint meetings leading to agreement on the most acceptable way forward.

Estimated Timescale: 5 – 10 hours

Member Rate: £350 plus VAT and expenses for up to 5 hours.   For additional time a rate of £70 per hour plus VAT and expenses applies.

Non-member Rate: £400 plus VAT and expenses for up to 5 hours.   For additional time a rate of £80 per hour plus VAT and expenses applies.

Contact

Employers' Forum on Disability (NI)

Banbridge Enterprise Centre

Scarva Road Industrial Estate

Banbridge

BT32 3QD

Tel 028 4062 4526

Fax 028 4066 2325

Email info@efdni.org