Mediation

Mediation is a form of conflict mediation in which the parties involved, under the guidance of an independent, neutral and impartial third party (the mediator), jointly reach a solution to their conflict.

A conflict is a situation in which two or more parties adopt methods, pursue goals, or adhere to values, which are actually or seemingly incompatible and therefore clash.

The mediator guides the process and helps put all concerns, wishes and expectations on the table, with proper attention to emotions. The mediator does not judge or take sides. Under the mediator's guidance, the parties involved work on restoring communication and finding concrete and lasting solutions that are good for all concerned. So that problems become opportunities and conflicts become growth opportunities. For yourself or for your organization.

Our mediators mediate various types of conflicts such as business conflicts, cooperation problems, labor conflicts, issues around transgressive behavior, social safety and whistleblowers. For more information see Our field of work.

Characteristics mediation

Voluntariness and confidentiality

Important principles of mediation are voluntariness and confidentiality. Voluntariness means that participation in mediation is only voluntary and that the participants (and the mediator) are free to stop if one of them no longer finds mediation useful. Voluntary does not mean non-committal. For as long as the mediation lasts, you are expected to be fully committed.

Confidentiality means that the participants and mediator agree that all that is shared in mediation is and remains confidential. Those involved can only make exceptions to confidentiality with each other's agreement. Confidentiality is important to provide a safe setting for frank exchange of ideas and to be able to discuss all possible ideas for solutions with each other.

Why mediation?

Guidance from an independent, neutral and impartial professional (the mediator) who does not focus on finding out the truth or who is right, but provides mutual insight and understanding.

In a mediation, work is done quickly, flexibly and infomercially. This saves time, costs and energy.
In mediation, work is done on the relationship between those involved, even when it means that the (business or cooperative) relationship ends.
Mediation is solution- and future-oriented.
In mediation sustainable solutions are reached which are based on the wishes, needs and interests of all parties involved.
Those involved jointly determine what those solutions look like (not determined by a third party) and therefore experience more control over their own future.
80% of mediations end in a joint solution.

Step 1: Intake interviews.

Prior to the mediation, the mediator conducts separate, confidential intake interviews with the participants. The purpose of the intake interview is to get acquainted, to share information about the mediation process and to be able to share with the mediator in confidence what is going on and what one's attitude towards mediation is. If there is sufficient support for mediation and the participants trust the mediator, the first mediation meeting follows.

Step 2: First mediation meeting

At the beginning of the mediation, the mediation agreement is signed by the participants and the mediator. Then the mediation really starts. The first joint mediation meeting usually lasts two and a half hours in total.

Step 3: Follow-up meetings

The number of mediation meetings cannot be determined in advance. Experience shows that usually 3 to 5 mediation meetings take place.

Step 4: Record appointments

Once the participants have reached agreements, the mediator ensures that these agreements are recorded in a draft document. Once agreement is reached on the content of the document, it is made final. The agreements are not binding until the final version of the document is signed by the parties.

Location

Mediation meetings can take place at a neutral and private location chosen by the participants in their own region, or at our office in Hilversum.

Online or hybrid

If necessary or desirable, we offer online intakes and/or mediation sessions or a hybrid form: partly online, partly face-to-face. To ensure confidentiality in online mediation as much as possible, it is important, that the participants can communicate undisturbed from a private space without others being able to listen or watch. Making recordings in any way is not permitted.