Halcyon Group: Phase 2


		The Halcyon Group Program offers three phases of dispute resolution: ombuds services; mediation; and, binding arbitration. The Program is intended to resolve each dispute as fairly, as early, as informally, and as privately as possible. The three-phase program offers different levels of intervention to ensure that disputes are resolved using the least costly and disruptive process. The Halcyon Group provides: skilled, impartial professionals, who help resolve such disputes effectively; all policies, agreements and other documents necessary to install the Program; and, orientation seminars to review the nature and procedures of the Program with management and all employees. When an organization accepts the Halcyon Group Program, both the employer and employees agree to resolve most, if not all, disagreements within the ADR system, and to use the Program as the exclusive way to conclude workplace disputes.
		PHASE 2: MEDIATION SERVICE If a problem cannot be resolved through the informal service of the Halcyon Group ombuds, the employer or the employee can request mediation by a professional trained to facilitate negotiation. In this process, the mediator helps the disputing parties explore ways to amicably resolve the problem. The mediator does not serve as a judge and does not decide the issues in the dispute. Rather, the mediator assists and enriches the parties’ discussion of the problem in order to aid the informal resolution of the dispute. Mediation provides an unbiased, confidential, and non-confrontational way for all parties to be heard and understood. If the mediation is successful, the parties can prepare and accept a settlement agreement that becomes binding when both have signed it. Mediation can occur with or without lawyers present. Most disputes can be resolved quickly, within one or two days of mediation. In mediation, about seventy to eighty-five percent of disputes are settled. This dramatically reduces the need to resort to costly and formal litigation.