Mediation services are offered through the Ombuds Office. Services are informal, confidential and available to all faculty, staff, graduate students and post-docs within the Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences and College of General Studies.
Participating in mediation does not mean that more formal options, such as grievances, are no longer available. Parties can choose mediation first and still pursue other avenues if the mediation is not successful.
If you are covered by a CBA there may be time limits for filing formal grievances. If you are concerned about these timelines, you can contact the Ombuds Office or your union representative directly.
What is Mediation?
Mediation is a conversation guided by a neutral person to help participants resolve disputes or make decisions. Mediation is often called ‘facilitated negotiation’ because the neutral third-party does not impose a decision. No one can force anyone to come to an agreement. To be effective, any proposed agreement must have the consent of all parties.
Benefits of Mediation
In this setting, mediation is informal, confidential and off record. We strive to provide a safe environment for conversations and work with all parties to uncover aspects of an issue that may not be known to all involved. Mediated conversations can also improve decision-making, interpersonal and conflict management skills.
Who is the Mediator?
The mediator is a member of the Dietrich School ombuds team, a neutral third-party, with formal training in conflict resolution. This individual has no stake in the outcome of mediation. The mediator can also provide referrals for additional resources both inside and outside the university community.
What Types of Issues Can Be Mediated?
Mediation may be a useful option for dealing with conflicts, disputes, and decisions. These services are informal, confidential and off record. Individuals can try mediation as a first option but it does not replace more formal approaches such as grievances.
Some issues are not suitable for mediation. The Ombuds Office can help you determine whether mediation is the right approach for you.
The Process
Mediation services can be requested by contacting the Ombuds Office at lisalang@asombuds.pitt.edu. An initial consultation will be scheduled with the individual requesting services to obtain more details about the case.
Because participation in mediation through the Ombuds Office is voluntary, all parties must agree to participate before a mediation session is scheduled. The mediator will talk about this process during the initial consultation.
While there is more than one way to conduct a mediated discussion, typically each party will be given a chance to talk about the issue. The mediator may ask clarifying questions and will provide a summary after each account. Identifying issues, acknowledging emotions and generating options for resolution will be part of the facilitated conversation. Parties may come to an agreement but it will not be legal or binding in any way.
Some mediations may require multiple sessions and some may not end in resolution of the issue. Parties can decide if another session is necessary or if they would prefer linkages to other resources.
Questions? Please reach out to Lisa Lang at lisalang@asombuds.pitt.edu.