Conflicts occur wherever people are pursuing different interests, and day-to-day business tends to be full of them. This often includes the risk of parties becoming so entrenched in their positions that constructiveness and cooperation seem no longer possible. In working relationships, the success of one single team, department or the entire business can be dependent on its employees’ good rapport with their colleagues and supervisors. Systematic mediation can help unlock growth and development potential that is blocked by conflict to the benefit of the company and its employees.

In addition to reconciliation and arbitration procedures, mediation is a further option for settling conflicts out of court. It is a way of managing conflict with the help of a third party, the mediator. He helps the conflicting parties to find their own solutions using a voluntary and structured method. The fundamental notion here is that the solution found is based on the interests and needs of the parties. In this, it is the task of the mediator to support both sides, foster them in articulating their needs, and to skilfully direct the mediation process in such a manner that makes room for solutions.

Emphasis is placed on the conflicting parties taking self-responsibility, as they are considered the specialists of their own dispute and, according to the mediation philosophy, must themselves find out which solution is best. Ideally, they are then able to find a solution to the disputed issues. It is not what is formally considered right or wrong that is key here, but rather the decisions with which the parties feel most comfortable.

Mediation sessions are a new service at HessenChemie, offered to members who seek solutions to their business conflicts. Once the specifics of the task have been discussed and, if necessary, first consultations have taken place, mediation sessions are held with the conflicting parties. These are divided into five phases: