Mediator Behaviour: Demystifying What Actually Happens in the Room

A review of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) literature highlights considerable ambiguity surrounding what workplace mediators do in terms of behaviours adopted during dispute resolution processes. Core tenets of mediation – informality and confidentiality – further compound this ambiguity leading to diverse opinions in relation to the efficacy of workplace mediation as a dispute resolution alternative and even to the profession itself. In any profession, behavioural ambiguity of practitioners will have implications for theory, standards, training and governance. This article represents a set of reflections on the behavioural dynamics that are at play during the mediation process. It draws on data gathered from practicing mediators, based in either public or private provision. The findings demonstrate nuanced differences in mediator behaviour across context and the discussion offers insights as to how and why these disparities occur. The contributions of this paper lie in raising mediator awareness regarding their behavioural choices, and in informing mediator training, accreditation and regulation processes