(A) The Employee Mediation Program is established to:
(1) Encourage city employees to resolve work place conflicts early, informally and with minimum intervention from administration;
(2) Address conflict in the work place constructively through communication and collaboration whenever possible.
(3) Aid direct communication and problem solving between individuals;
(4) Provide neutral mediators to help informal, direct communication and conflict resolution within each department of the city; and
(5) Provide a resource to each department to minimize the costs of conflict.
(B) All city employees will be notified of and encouraged to use the Employee Mediation Program to address work place conflict, including conflict between employees and conflict between an employee and a supervisor. Participation in the mediation program is voluntary. Participation in the mediation will not affect access to other procedural remedies for employees.
(C) Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
CONFLICT. Any misunderstanding, miscommunication or difference of opinion which could affect morale or productivity in the work place.
COORDINATOR. The person in the city's Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) office who administers the Employee Mediation Program.
MEDIATION. A specific informal meeting process which aids communication and problem solving, the goal of which is to enhance communication and promote a "win-win" approach to conflict resolution among the participants.
MEDIATORS. Individuals available through the city's ADR office who may be a city employee from any classification who is trained and skilled in the mediation process, or who may be someone other than a city employee who is trained and skilled in the mediation process and has entered into a contract with the city to provide mediation services.
PARTICIPANTS. Individuals excluding the mediators who attend a mediation meeting for the purpose of assisting in conflict resolution.
(D) Mediation Procedure.
(1) Mediation is initiated by any city employee by contacting the Coordinator by telephone, in writing or in person. Mediation may be initiated at any point during the conflict resolution process, but employees and supervisors should attempt to use the mediation process at an early stage in their conflict resolution efforts.
(2) During the intake process, the Coordinator will assist employees in identifying the participants and the goals of the mediation.
(3) The mediation will take place during business hours in a neutral site at a time mutually acceptable to the participants. The mediation shall be conducted in accordance with the Employee Mediation Program Guidelines. Any resolution resulting from the mediation must comply with all applicable laws, policies, rules and procedures.
(Ord. 29-1998)