Employee Mediation Program Procedures
An employee may contact Human Resources to discuss the Mediation Program and submit a request to mediate. All parties must agree to mediation before the process can begin. Disputes between students and employees shall follow the Student Mediation Program Procedures.
I. Mediation Program Process
Once a request for mediation is made, the Executive Director of Employee Relations (or designee) will meet with the disputants separately to discuss the mediation process, conduct an initial assessment, and to identify potential mediators. After a mediator is selected, the following steps should be followed, but other steps may be taken to resolve the issue with Human Resources approval.
- If a settlement is reached, the mediator will provide copies of the “Agreement to Mediate” form, the “Confidentiality Agreement,” and the “Settlement Agreement” to Human Resources.
- If a settlement is reached, the dispute will be considered resolved.
- Human Resources will notify the unit vice president of the outcome of the mediation.
- If no settlement is reached, Human Resources will notify the disputants of their options.
II. Mediation in Discrimination or Harassment Issues
A.
Employees may participate in the mediation process in situations regarding alleged discrimination or harassment after filing a Waiver of Complaint as described in Policy 1.37 Discrimination and Harassment. Employees may choose to participate in the mediation process in situations regarding alleged sexual misconduct if the matter is appropriate for mediation in accordance with Policy 1.41 Sexual Misconduct.
B.
Prior to mediation, an initial meeting will be held with the Executive Director of Employee Relations (or designee). At the meeting, the allegations will be discussed, College policy regarding discrimination and harassment will be reviewed, the meaning of a Waiver of Complaint will be defined, and the option to mediate the alleged harassment will be explored.
C.
Requests to mediate allegations of discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct should be submitted to Human Resources. Human Resources will arrange for the mediation and notify the disputants of the arrangements.
D.
Employees who choose to mediate allegations of discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct may withdraw their request to mediate and return to the Discrimination and Harassment Complaint procedure or the Sexual Misconduct procedure at any time during or after mediation.