The secret to economic growth in 2012? Keep your conflicts out of court.

• Mediation experts call on all business leaders to train as workplace mediators and peacemakers with announcement of new training guide.
• Workplace disputes are a major barrier to economic growth - mediation provides a vital remedy.
• "Recently announced Government reforms place mediation at the heart of workplace dispute resolution."

Introduction

Conflicts and disputes impede economic growth. They undermine relationships; they hinder innovation and they cost a lot of money. As we move into a period of economic recovery, it is a anathema for business leaders to ignore the cost of conflict or, worse, to seek resolution through archaic, costly and stressful formal processes.

Recent proposals from the Coalition Government represent an important milestone for mediation. UK businesses are now being advised to use mediation to resolve disputes without the need to go to court.

Business leaders and HR Professionals are being encouraged to enrol in mediation training to develop core skills in handling conflict and reaching resolution without the need for the expense and the stress of legal processes.

The TCM Group announces major extension to mediation training programme

The TCM Group, the UK’s leading mediation company, has responded to the challenge by launching an innovative and comprehensive suite of courses, seminars, webinars and professional development days.

David Liddle, founder and director The TCM Group, commented at the launch of the new training guide:

“TCM has trained many thousands of managers and leaders to act as mediators and peacemakers in their organisations. Business leaders benefit from attending one of TCM’s mediation courses by gaining vital key skills, strategies and tools needed to prevent and resolve complex workplace disputes. Mediation works!”

It isn’t rocket science – it’s common sense!

Many mediation courses are delivered over one day. It doesn’t take weeks or months to learn how to manage conflict. In one day the mediation experts at TCM can deliver the key skills that every business leader requires to prevent and resolve conflicts and disputes. Alongside business leaders, TCM’s courses are attended by HR and ER professionals, external independent mediators, lawyers and Trade Union officials.

TCM also delivers the UK’s benchmark qualification for UK Mediators - the National Certificate in Workplace Mediation™. This fully accredited course is considered to be the UK's benchmark qualification for workplace, employment and business mediators. This course is available to be delivered in-house as well as on an open basis.

According to Carol Russell, Head of Employment Relations at BT, using TCM to deliver mediation training has made a significant impact to their organisation:

"Over the past two years, mediation has made a significant contribution to our business. By working with TCM to train a team of internal mediators, we have already cut the cost of conflict by many hundreds of thousands of pounds."

TCM’s extensive 2012 course guide provides business leaders with the essential information that they need to know about these skills. Download TCM’s 2012 training guide today and help your business to secure better solutions to disputes and drive economic growth.

Expert speakers announced for national workplace mediation summit

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• Biggest shakeup of dispute resolution in 20 years to be discussed at exclusive workplace mediation summit organised by The TCM Group

• Employment relations experts provide overview of Government proposals for improving workplace dispute resolution and mediation.

• London Chamber of Commerce and Industry to host inaugural national mediation summit with speakers from UK Government, CIPD, BT, Boyes Turner and The TCM Group

On the 19th of January, The TCM Group in partnership with the London Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a free 'Breakfast Briefing Seminar' on the Government’s response to the ‘Resolving workplace disputes’ consultation.

The Government’s response to the recent dispute resolution consultation states that mediation should become a preferred mechanism for organizations to resolve disputes without the needs to go to court :

“Our vision is for an employment dispute resolution system that promotes the use of early dispute resolution as a means of dealing with workplace problems. The consultation Resolving Workplace Disputes set out our ideas, which focused on the need to tackle problems early, before they got to the tribunal stage.”

Confirmed speakers at the national mediation summit to be held on the 19th of January 2012 include:

• Gail Davies from the Department for Business Innovation and Skills
• Mike Emmott from CIPD
• Helen Goss and Michael Farrier from Boyes Turner
• Mediation expert David Liddle from The TCM Group
• Caroline Waters, Director of People and Policy at BT

The Government response to the consultation is part of the Employment Law Review instigated by the Coalition. On the 30th of November the Coalition Government announced one of the most radical shake-ups of employment law in twenty years.

The Chartered Institute for Personnel and Development (CIPD) have identified significant advantages to UK companies who use mediation. Reduced stress and increased performance were two areas identified in a recent CIPD report into mediation and dispute resolution.

David Liddle, Founder of The TCM Group and President of the Professional Mediators Association believes that this event reflects a major milestone in the development of effective dispute resolution for UK organisations. He stated today that:

“It is clear from the proposals that the Government supports mediation and will encourage companies to deploy mediation in order to resolve disputes without the need for legal remedies. I welcome this exciting development and I look forward to working with officials from the Government alongside other key partners to help foster a culture of early resolution and mediation as an alternative to costly and stressful employment tribunals.“

Event details:

• Venue: London Chamber of Commerce & Industry
• Date: Thursday, 19th of January 2012
• Time: 08:30am (Registration ) - 11:30 am (End)
• Cost: Free: Coffee – Tea & Breakfast included
• How to book: To reserve a place please click here

UK’s mediation experts to host National Mediation Summit

• UK companies invited to breakfast briefing to hear about Government’s proposals for improving workplace disputes resolution

• Biggest shakeup of dispute resolution in 20 years to be discussed at major UK dispute resolution summit

The TCM Group invites partners and clients to attend its Breakfast Briefing Seminar

On the 19th of January, The TCM Group will be hosting a breakfast briefing seminar on the Government’s response to the ‘Resolving workplace disputes’ consultation. Key speakers will include: Gail Davis, Assistant Director in Dispute Resolution for BIS, representatives from the Department for Business, the legal profession and HR and mediation expert David Liddle.

The Government response to the consultation is part of the Employment Law Review instigated by the Coalition. On the 30th of November the Coalition Government announced one of the most radical shake-ups of employment law in twenty years. The announcements have received far reaching media coverage, however the government’s increased focus on mediation has gone broadly unmentioned.

It is clear that the Government is serious about mediation and about encouraging companies to resolve disputes without the need for legal remedies. "The government has declared it will continue to work with the mediation industry to embed mediation in the resolution of workplace disputes." and is now even more convinced about the role that mediation can play, as one of the forms of early dispute resolution.

As stated in the Government Response to Consultation:

“Our vision is for an employment dispute resolution system that promotes the use of early dispute resolution as a means of dealing with workplace problems. The consultation “Resolving Workplace Disputes” set out our ideas, which focused on the need to tackle problems early, before they got to the tribunal stage.”

The Government is planning to explore whether and how big organisations might be able to share their mediation expertise with smaller businesses in their supply chain, and will pilot the creation of regional mediation networks through the provision of mediation training to a number of representatives from local SMEs.

Event details:

• Date: Thursday, 19th of January 2012
• Time: 09:00am - 11:30 am
• Location: Central London , Venue - TBA
• Breakfast & Refreshments included (buffet style)
• Cost: Free Event

David Liddle, The TCM Group’s founder and President of the Professional Mediators’ Association commented: “I embrace the Governments’ drive towards encouraging mediation and better dispute resolution. For many of TCM’s clients, introducing mediation has delivered real benefits in terms of reduced costs, reduced stress and increased productivity.

"I am pleased that My Davey and the coalition Government are now promoting mediation more widely and we look forward to working with Ministers and other government officials over the coming months.”

FACTFILE:
TCM is a top UK provider of business, workplace and consumer mediation services. We work with organisations across the UK and Europe to develop constructive, effective and sustainable remedies for conflicts and disputes.
TCM delivers mediation services to an unrivalled list of some of the world’s leading brands including: Lloyds Banking Group, BT, The Arcadia Group, Marks & Spencer, Vodafone, HSBC and The co-operative
Other Important Information:

• The TCM Group regularly comments on mediation, dispute resolution and labour relations issues in the media including Sky News, BBC News 24, Daybreak, BBC Radio and various trade press.
• TCM has created and sponsors the first UK award for Innovation in Dispute Resolution in conjunction with Personnel Today.
• TCM was invited by the CBI to take the lead on the production of an innovative mediation film, distributed to over 20,000 CBI members. The film’s aim was to improve the way disputes are managed across UKPLC.
• The company trains over 1000 individuals in the art of mediation each year. This includes HR professionals and business leaders. Plus other employees who are committed to improving the way that they resolve workplace and business disputes.

Keep in touch with them online

http://twitter.com/TheTCMGroup

https://www.facebook.com/TheTCMGroup

The TCM Group launches the “Clear your desk of conflict before the New Year’’ campaign!

Start the New Year with a clean slate through mediation

• Innovative campaign to help Human Resources managers resolve disputes and grievances
• Twitter & Facebook campaign asks for clients and followers to send a picture of their desk
• Mediation, as the best alternative dispute resolution mechanism, saves organisations’ money & time

The TCM Group is delighted to announce the launch of the ‘Clear Your Desk of Conflict campaign’, for the third year running. Since 2008 the group has saved approximately £600,000 for their clients during quarter three, with a campaign goal to get all of the internal conflicts resolved before the New Year. TCM has worked with an impressive client list over the years including: BT, Lloyds Banking Group, Marks & Spencer, HSBC, Topshop, DWP and The Royal Bank of Scotland.

Statistics reveal that disputes referred to formal litigation can expect a 50% success rate as opposed to an average of 85-90% in mediation where both parties are willing participants. Conflict is natural however there is no doubt that it can have a negative influence on almost every aspect of the modern workplace. The TCM Group has developed high quality, constructive and innovative remedies for disputes and conflicts. These solutions are then delivered by some of the leading dispute resolution professionals in the UK and Europe.

David Liddle, TCM’s Managing Director said: “Conflict can be extremely costly. In our 20 years of experience, we have seen numerous cases where unresolved workplace conflict became divisive and very damaging. “If you want a harmonious workplace environment that can boost your employees’ productivity, then mediation is the right path" for solving those disputes. It’s not science, mediation just works. “

Each year, during this holiday period, Human Resources managers are overwhelmed with the amount of grievances and complaints that pile up on their desk. This campaign’s goal is to get all of their internal conflicts resolved and off their desk before 2012. It is all about ‘starting the new year with a clean slate’. Christmas and New Year’s Eve are just around the corner and everyone is getting excited about spending time with their loved ones. Mediation can provide the same environment and feeling in a workplace – peace at work is not a myth, it is something that TCM provides to each of their clients.

Mike Emmott, Adviser, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) pointed out: “The TCM Group has made a significant contribution to furthering the cause of workplace mediation in both public and private sectors. David was ahead of the field in recognising the need for the mediation community to adopt a more professional framework, and doing something about it. His commitment to providing mediation and training in-house mediators is allied with a strong entrepreneurial spirit. He is always looking to drive the agenda forward and is an active member of the Civil Mediation Council Workplace Mediation Committee.”

TCM is a leading UK mediation services and training provider, which resolves over 90% of cases and has worked on some of the most challenging workplace disputes imaginable.

Although TCM offers unrivalled services and support, they still keep their fees remarkably low. For less than £1,500 plus vat anyone can gain access to a team of the very best mediation talent anywhere in the UK. The TCM group covers the entire country and achieves a successful outcome in over 90% of cases.
To solve your workplace disputes and clean your desk of conflict please call 0800 294 97 98 or email info@thetcmgroup.com

When things go wrong, mediation may be the answer

CEDR Solve, Europe’s largest independent mediation service provider, announces it is dropping standard mediation support charges for clients. The saving for clients is possible because CEDR Solve feels there is now a good, broad understanding of the principles of mediation within the legal sector, meaning CEDR Solve’s Dispute Resolution Advisers generally no longer need to spend as much time informing its clients on the benefits of the process.

There will be no drop in the quality of the service that lawyers have come to expect from CEDR Solve, whether they are approaching one of its 40 direct group mediators, asking CEDR Solve to select a mediator for them, or asking for recommendations from the 132-strong CEDR Solve Panel of mediators for clients to choose from.

Gregory Hunt, director of CEDR Solve, said “Mediation has been around for long enough for us to see it incrementally increase in popularity, and we have seen levels of knowledge and skill amongst its users growing too. We are fortunate today that those who appoint mediators now normally have the confidence to do so with less assistance from our expert Dispute Resolution Advisers, and that represents a saving we have been able to pass on to our customers.”

Eileen Carroll, Deputy Chief Executive of CEDR and a senior CEDR Solve Mediator added, "I would like to pay testimony to the CEDR Solve Dispute Resolution Advisers who over the years have helped literally thousands of parties in dispute and their legal teams in the UK, Europe and around the world.”

To find out more visit CEDR’s website – www.cedrsolve.com.