Workplace conflict resolution in Australia: the dominance of the public dispute resolution framework and the limited role of ADR

The role of mediation in resolving workplace relationship conflict

“…As a less adversarial and more personal process, ADR is chosen for a number of reasons. It is less expensive; can assist in repairing relationships; allow greater control by disputants over the resolution process; and as a result parties are likely to be more satisfied with outcomes into which they have had input (Forsyth, 2012). Due to subjective and emotional aspects, workplace interpersonal conflict is likely to be classed as an OH&S issue and mediation is the most common response in these cases.…”

“…Australia (Colsky, 2001;Forsyth, 2012). This is largely because of the role and effectiveness of the government organisation, Fair Work Australia (FWA).…”

“…Although ADR has been increasingly used in Australian workplaces since the late 1980s it is applied almost exclusively to interest disputes such as personality conflicts, disciplinary matters and to facilitate enterprise negotiations (Forsyth, 2012). When compared to the USA, private ADR does not have a significant place in workplace dispute resolution in 2 In this article the term parties refers to the participants in a dispute.…”

Economic Citizenship and Workplace Conflict in Anglo‐American Industrial Relations Systems

“…These twin pillars of collective industrial relations system were weakened somewhat by the Industrial Relations Reform Act 1993, but more far reaching change was wrought by two subsequent pieces of legislation, the (Forsyth 2012). However, it is too early to say whether it is being successful in performing this role, although initial indications are positive.…”

Inside the mediation room - efficiency, voice and equity in workplace mediation

“…The use of workplace mediation and ADR has increased in recent years, albeit at different speeds, in Europe (EUROFOUND, 2010;Grima and Paille, 2011;Clark, Contrepois, and Jeffreys, 2012) and other countries including Australia (Forsyth, 2012), New Zealand (Corby, 1999), Japan (Benson, 2012) and most notably in the US where it is perhaps most firmly established (Lipsky et al, 2012;Stipanowich and Lamare, 2013). There is certainly evidence that interest in, and use of workplace mediation in the UK is growing.…”