|
|
What is Conflict Resolution?
Home » Management » Conflict Resolution » What is Conflict Resolution?Also referred to as Alternative Dispute Resolution, Conflict Resolution is the name of different processes used to encourage nonviolent dispute resolution outside of the traditional court system. Conflict Resolution is in widespread use by companies, organizations, and even school systems to help people find a better way to resolve problems.
Different forms of Conflict Resolution gained popularity in the 1980s, and are still growing in popularity today. In fact, 88 percent of American corporations had used mediation and 79 percent had used arbitration in the previous three years, according to a 1998 survey by PricewaterhouseCoopers and Cornell University. And more and more companies are signing employees into arbitration agreements, saying they’ll work through Conflict Resolution steps first before taking any other action against the company or co-workers.
Within the company, Conflict Resolution processes help employees use constructive means to resolve problems early, and without outside intervention. Companies may use hot lines, peer review panels, mediation, arbitration, or any number of other Conflict Resolution methods to resolve disputes.
Common forms of conflict resolution include:
Negotiation: Two or more people discuss an issue, with the goal of reaching an agreement.
Mediation: During this confidential, voluntary process, a neutral third-party facilitator helps co-workers discuss difficult issues and negotiate an agreement. The facilitator gathers information, frames the issues, identifies options, negotiates a resolution, and finalizes the plan. The parties involved make the decisions; the mediator just helps walk them through the process.
Conciliation: Both parties use a conciliator who meets with them separately to help resolve their differences. The conciliator helps each party seek concessions, rather than using a legal system or deep discussions to reach an end.
Arbitration: A neutral third-party reviews evidence and listens to arguments from both sides, then issues a decision to settle the case. Arbitration is most often used in commercial and labor/management disputes or as a legal alternative to litigation.
Related Conflict Resolution Articles
- What is Conflict Resolution?
- When is Conflict Resolution an option?
- Why should I consider Conflict Resolution?
- What should I know about hiring a third-party to help with Conflict Resolution?
- What resources are available to help me learn Conflict Resolution?