Facilitation in the workplace
If a workplace issue is affecting you and many of your co-workers, facilitation can help.
At facilitation, a facilitator guides the group through difficult discussions. Everyone can share their thoughts and suggest solutions in a fair and balanced way. It can also help decision-makers:
- gather information about an issue
- find a solution that works for everyone.
On this page
Facilitation or mediation
Facilitation usually involves large disputes with several parties, such as disputes in or between:
- an organisation
- a department
- an entire community.
If there are less people involved, workplace mediation may be more suitable.
Disputes that suit facilitation
Facilitation is useful for:
- workplace planning or change management
- meetings between agencies
- disputes about the environment that involve the government, conservationists, and industry representatives
- policy consultations between the government and community or special-interest groups.
Arrange facilitation
Usually, a manager or human resources department will arrange facilitation.
To arrange facilitation, contact your local Dispute Resolution Centre.
Once arranged, the facilitator will:
- design a process to help all interested parties find a common goal to work towards
- guide participants through this process
- write down what everyone agrees to do.
Fees
There’s usually a fee for this service. To find out more, contact your local Dispute Resolution Centre.
Our facilitators
Facilitators are impartial. They act to:
- clarify issues
- keep discussions on course
- ensure that all sides have the chance to speak.
They do not:
- represent one side or the other, as solicitors do
- judge how the dispute should be resolved.
There are usually 2 facilitators present at facilitation.
Our accredited facilitators have completed comprehensive training and can deal with a range of matters. They recognise your right to have a say when issues affect your life.
Benefits of facilitation
Facilitation can:
- increase the chance that all voices will be heard
- reduce manipulation, bragging or bullying
- allow everyone to hear about the benefits of different options and all the interests to consider
- make it more likely that the outcome is acceptable, and that decisions will be implemented.
For managers and other decision-makers, facilitation can:
- build goodwill
- show that they are committed to open and consultative decision-making
- allow them (or their agency) to freely participate in discussions and decisions with the group
- improve their agency’s credibility
- strengthen stakeholder commitment to the process
- increase the chance that participants will feel satisfied with how the outcome is reached.
Confidentiality
We are committed to keeping your information private and confidential. However, under the Dispute Resolution Centres Act 1990, we may sometimes be required to share your information. This includes, for example, when a law requires that we share it. Other than this, we will only disclose your information to third parties with your consent.
Outcomes of facilitation
At the session, facilitators will try to help everyone agree to a way forward.
Facilitators can put any agreement the group reaches in writing. This ensures everyone knows what they will be expected to do after the session.
More information
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