Mediation not used by employers to settle disputes

A majority of employers have never opted to use the process of mediation to resolve disputes in the workplace, it has emerged.

According to the results of a study by legal firm Dundas & Wilson (D&W), out of every three employers, two have never made use of mediation, reports Personnel Today.

Eilidh Wiseman, head of employment law at D&W, said: "A lot of employment tribunals could be avoided if both sides would sit down and address the issue instead of simply locking horns so early in the process, so it's disappointing that so few employers consider mediation in the early stages of a dispute."

For those respondents who confirmed that they have actually used the process of mediation, a majority noted that the flexibility of the process was advantageous.

D&W specialises in corporate and commercial law, with offices in a number of different locations, including London and Edinburgh.