Halcyon Group for Workplace Dispute Resolution LLC

ADR -- A Better Way to Solve Workplace Conflicts
By Pat Janke, HR Director, Cross Company, Greensboro, North Carolina

Litigation often follows when an employee believes there's no other way to fix a problem. Sadly, the arduous process of taking a conflict to court only makes the problem worse in many ways. It's expensive and emotionally draining for all concerned, and there's no defined end once you've entered the process.

HR Dilemma. Cross Company, an employee-owned southeastern distributor of hydraulic, pneumatic factory-automation solutions, experienced an expensive litigation in 2002. An age discrimination case against the company resulted in more than $100,000 in legal fees and lost productivity.

HR Insight. Disappointed with the judicial system, the management team believed there had to be a better way for associates and management to resolve disputes. Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is a better way.

What is ADR? It's a process to identify problems at the earliest point in time when employees and management are best able to reach a mutually agreeable solution. Our ADR program features four levels of appeal: (1) to management through an open-door policy, (2) to an ombudsperson, (3) to a mediator, and (4) when necessary, to an arbitrator. The approach fit well with our employee/owner culture.

Halcyon Group for Workplace Dispute Resolution (www.halcyongroup.org) designed the program. Earlier this year, the CEO and I hosted meetings and conference calls to provide education and answers to questions about ADR and why we were implementing the program, which went into effect on June 1, 2004.

Remember This. The business case for ADR is compelling. After much research and a successful implementation, it's hard for me to imagine why all companies aren't embracing such programs. Not all employees will welcome ADR, but most understand why it's needed.

At Cross, we care about our employee owners, sincerely want to solve our own problems, and will work hard toward reaching mutual goals during the process. ADR fits our culture and our desire to have the best possible practices for our team.

Published by HR Insight www.HRhero.com