Frequently Asked Questions
1) What is Conflict Resolution?
2) What are the benefits of Conflict Resolution?
3) How do we choose a Conflict Resolution Practitioner?
4) What if you reach a settlement during the process of resolution?
6) How much does Conflict Resolution cost?
1) What is Conflict Resolution?
Conflict Resolution is an alternative to the traditional legal system for resolving disputes. Essentially, the disputing parties sit down with a neutral third party who provides process expertise, coaching and/or training. While there are a variety of techniques available in conflict resolution, mediation is probably the most well known technique.
2) What are the benefits of Conflict Resolution?
Costs: Conflict Resolution typically costs less than the traditional adversarial process.
Speed: Conflict Resolution sessions can be scheduled faster and disputes resolved sooner than going through the traditional legal system.
Control: The parties are in control of the decision making. However, if the parties wish the Conflict Resolution Practitioner to play a more active role in decision making, this is decided prior to the first session with consent from all involved parties.
Higher rate of compliance: Parties are more likely to follow through on the agreement that they have agreed upon and invested in.
Maintaining long term relationships: Some disputing parties have long term relationships. A Conflict Resolution Practitioner will keep this in mind when working to enhance the future relationship.
Separating the people from the problem: In any dispute, emotions arise to varying degrees. A Conflict Resolution Practitioner can assist the parties in controlling the emotional component and to facilitate focus on the solution.
Creative solutions: Resolving your dispute through Conflict Resolution allows the parties to think outside of the box. Parties can come up with creative and innovative agreements that may work better than traditional settlements.
Complete participation: Practitioners can ensure that all participants to a dispute are included.
Complete overview: Parties are guided to view their dispute from all angles. This provides a complete overview of the conflict, which assists in developing creative solutions.
Training: Parties often develop new communication and resolution skills to assist them with future interactions and conflicts.
3) How do we choose a Conflict Resolution Practitioner?
Choosing the right Practitioner is an important part of the resolution process. Some points to consider:
- Neutral and impartial: It is generally recommended someone is chosen that is neutral to all involved. However, both parties can choose a practitioner they know, which can benefit the negotiations.
- Education and experience: Universities are now offering degree programs specializing in Conflict Analysis and Resolution. Certificate programs are also offered. What training does a Practitioner have? What is their experience? Do they specialize in any particular area?
- The fee for services: The fee will likely vary depending on the service being sought. What does the fee include? Do they have an hourly rate, flat rates or both? Do they offer a free consultation?
- Comfort level: It is important to choose someone you feel is right for you and both parties feel they can work with effectively. Do you feel comfortable sharing with this person? Do you feel free to speak openly about your dispute? Do you feel they are listening and clearly hearing what you are saying? Do you trust them?
4) What if you reach a settlement during the process of resolution?
The parties may reach agreement on their own before the resolution process is complete. The resolution process can be concluded and the Practitioner can assist you in writing up your agreement.
5) Do I need a lawyer?
A lawyer is not essential during the Conflict Resolution Process itself but it is a personal choice. You are in charge of making decisions on your own behalf during the resolution process. Conflict Resolution Practitioners are trained solely in win/win solutions as opposed to other adversarial practitioners and guide the process to resolution neutrally. In certain circumstances, legal guidelines are applicable, such as the Child Support Guidelines, and the agreement should be taken to a lawyer for review and to formalize the settlement agreement reached with the mediator. Therefore, while a lawyer is not necessarily essential during the Conflict Resolution process, they definitely have a role, as do Conflict Resolution Practitioners and each role is different
6) How much does Conflict Resolution cost?
The cost of Conflict Resolution depends on the service and practitioner employed. ACRS rates are available upon request and flat rates may be negotiated in certain circumstances. Please note the initial consultation is free.
7) Where are some areas Conflict Resolution can be helpful?
Conflict Resolution can be applied to the majority of disputes:
- Family conflicts, between parents or parents and their children, divorce and separation or reconciliation, care of an older adult, etc.
- Workplace disputes
- Business loss through finances and/or Human Resources
- Disagreements between neighbours
- Disagreements between landlords and tenants.
- Group work, including problem solving, project development.
- Corporate reorganization.
- Disputes among children; in the home, in the school system, bullying issues and peer mediation.
- Government disputes.
- Union negotiations.
- Restorative Justice; sessions between offenders and victims of their crimes.
- Negotiating contracts, sales, and collections.
8) Where are some areas Conflict Resolution can be helpful?
Conflict is inevitable in business environments. The resolution of such conflict is what is important. If conflicts are left unresolved, businesses may experience:
- Increases in grievances and litigation
- Decrease in productivity
- Decreases in employee presence while at work
- Increases in turnover and recruitment costs
- Increased employee absences
- Increases in stress, frustration and strained relationships
- Increases in sick leaves, workplace injuries and disability claims
- Increase in using work time as personal time, for instance on facebook
- Client dissatisfaction
- Sabotage of your business
There is a correlation between employee satisfaction and the above related costs. A Conflict Resolution Design offers your organization a proactive approach to be one step ahead, decreasing costs and increasing employee satisfaction.
On the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month, I will be in the chat room from 7-9pm Atlantic Time to answer questions or discuss conflict resolution.
If you are interested, just send me an email at alipsett@acrsinc.ca, stating your name and which session you will be joining.