Home > HR Service Center > Employee Mediation Services > FAQ

What is mediation?
What is involved in the process?
Who are the mediators?
What is the role of the Mediator?
Who is eligible to participate in this service?
What qualifies for mediation?
What types of conflict are most common?
Do you offer group mediation?
Is mediation confidential?
Can I ask for mediation even if I am in the middle of a grievance?
What if I do not want to have a peer serve as my mediator?
How do I schedule a session?

What is mediation?
Mediation is a process that is designed to encourage open conversation between participants through facilitation.

What is involved in the process?
The process includes a time for each individual to state his or her issues in an informal and non-adversarial way. The goal is to find common ground and then reach an agreement or solution to the problem.

Who are the mediators?
JMU faculty and staff who have been nominated, selected, and highly trained (some to the VA Supreme Court Certification level) to serve as mediators.

What is the role of the Mediator?
A mediator is there to assist employees in arriving at their own solutions. Mediators are trained to make conversation easier for the participants.

Who is eligible to participate in this service?
Mediation services are available to all non-student JMU employees.

What qualifies for mediation?
Any situation will be reviewed; however, your representative will assist in determining the appropriateness for mediation on a case-by-case basis.

What types of conflict are most common?
Common issues include work style differences, supervisory style differences, pre-grievance issues, and issues affecting a working relationship between co-workers that cannot be resolved on their own or with a supervisor.

Do you offer group mediation?
Group mediation is welcomed and encouraged. It often helps to bring a sense of unity to the group participants.

Is mediation confidential?
All topics discussed in the mediation session are confidential. The agreement written by the parties is not confidential, but it will not be discussed or published except on a “need-to-know” basis.

Can I ask for mediation even if I am in the middle of a grievance?
Yes, as long as both parties agree to the mediation. The grievance process will stop temporarily and resume after the mediation, if necessary.

What if I do not want to have a peer serve as my mediator?
The mediation coordinator will work with you to find a suitable mediator for your session.

How do I schedule a session?
You may email mediation@jmu.edu or call (540)-568-3597.