Introduction
Mediation, and the requirement to act in good faith, is a cornerstone of the Employment Relations Act.
The objectives of the Act include:
- to resolve problems as informally as possible
- to maintain the employment relationship if possible and desirable.
Mediation services under the Employment Relations Act are provided by Workplace Services, a Service of the Department of Labour. Mediation services are available to any employer or employee with an employment relations problem. Mediation is simple, effective, free and fair.
This publication is one of several designed to help employers and employees avoid or effectively deal with employment relations problems. (Others are listed at the back of this booklet.) Its purpose is to help you understand the range of assistance available to you, and how and when to seek help.
The booklet starts at the point where you believe you have a problem and decide to seek help. It is important to get help as soon as a problem emerges. Don’t wait until it has become significant and your employment relationship is damaged.
Mediation is the use of an independent person where a problem has emerged. That person has the role of encouraging those with a problem to explain what has occurred, to discuss the pros and cons of the difference that has arisen, and to come to a resolution that is satisfactory to both parties.
A range of activities can be described as mediation services. These include:
- email and telephone correspondence
- workplace discussions
- education activities
- mediation meetings.
The following pages discuss:
- issues referred to mediation
- the role and duties of the mediator
- typical mediation activities
- ways to make mediation work effectively for you.
Need more information?
Call the Department of Labour Workplace Contact Centre free on 0800 20 90 20, or
visit our web site www.dol.govt.nz.
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This page was last updated on:
04-May-2009
and is current.
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