Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is a series of processes that help people resolve their differences informally, with the assistance of a skilled and neutral third party. The Department of Agriculture now has a program designed to help employees experiencing conflict in the workplace resolve their concerns quickly through an ADR process called mediation. This program, which will soon serve all USDA employees, provides an alternative to the traditional complaint and grievance systems for resolving workplace conflict. Your agency's ADR program may be known as the Conflict Prevention and Resolution (CPR) Program, Cooperative Resolution Program (CRP), Early Intervention Program (EIP), Voluntary Dispute Intervention Program (VDIP), or by another name. Some agency ADR programs currently offer conflict management training while others plan to offer it in the near future. Conflict management training is designed to provide employees at all levels with skills necessary for managing conflict effectively.

What Is Mediation?

Mediation is a problem solving process that focuses on the future. In mediation, individuals in conflict get together with a mediator to discuss the issues and attempt to solve their problems. Mediation is not a process to determine who is right or who is wrong, but is designed to help participants create their own mutually agreeable resolution. Unlike formal litigation, where a judge or jury imposes a decision, a mediator has no such authority. Nothing is decided in mediation unless all participants agree to the terms. The mediator creates a safe, neutral environment for employees to discuss their concerns.

An employee who is experiencing conflict contacts the agency's ADR program staff to discuss his/her concerns. These could involve employee and supervisor, co-workers, or other work relationships. If mediation appears to be an option, the ADR staff will explain the mediation process to the employee, and they can discuss whether mediation is appropriate. If the employee is interested in participating in mediation, the ADR staff contacts the other person involved in the conflict to see if she/he is willing to mediate. If so, the mediation is scheduled in a neutral location away from the work site. Following introductions and the mediator's opening remarks, each participant is afforded an opportunity to state the issues in his/her own words and explain the personal impact of the conflict. The mediator may then "caucus" with each participant separately, providing an opportunity to express interests, needs and issues confidentially to the mediator. The mediator works with the participants to problem solve while developing options or steps for resolution. If an acceptable resolution is reached, the terms of resolution are generally put in writing and each participant signs the agreement. If no resolution is reached, the mediator may review progress and advise the participants of options available through other conflict resolution systems.

The primary goal of mediation is to bring disputing individuals together to discuss issues of concern and develop a solution that satisfies each. Mediation has additional goals such as: improving future communications; promoting a better understanding of each other's interests; and creating an opportunity for better working relationships between participants.

What Are The Benefits To Me?

Mediation is fast, non-adversarial, informal, and builds relationships. It is future focused, private, and cost effective.

By agreeing to mediate, you do not give up your rights to file an EEO complaint or grievance. If mediation does not result in an agreement, you may pursue more formal avenues to resolve the conflict. Established time frames for filing a complaint or grievance still apply.

When you have a concern or issue and you need assistance in resolving it, call your agency's ADR Program Office. Mediation may help you resolve your concerns in an informal setting.

For more information on your agency's ADR program, contact your agency's ADR Program Manager, or to find out who your agency's ADR Program Manager is, you may contact the USDA Conflict Prevention and Resolution Center (CPRC) toll free at (888) 428-8961, or visit CPRC's web site, www.usda.gov/cprc.