Colin Stewart Robertson Accredited Mediator, Workplace Mediation, Leeds, Northern England and UK. Face to face (f2f) and online mediation. Covid-19 precautions, Well-ventilated venues, Social distancing and hygiene.

COLIN STEWART ROBERTSON MBA – MRICS – MCIArb COVID-19 UPDATE – SUMMER/AUTUMN 2021

Accredited Mediator www.csraccreditedmediator.uk

Leeds North Yorkshire West Yorkshire North of England UK

AS OF SUMMER 2021, FACE TO FACE MEDIATIONS ARE ABLE TO RE-COMMENCE, IN INTERNAL SPACES, SUBJECT TO GOVERNMENT ADVISORY DISTANCING/HYGIENE/PARTY NUMBER GUIDELINES. THIS PRACTICE IS OFFERING LIMITED FACE TO FACE (f2f) MEDIATIONS WITHIN SUITABLY SPACIOUS (3m DISTANCING) AND (VERY) WELL VENTILATED VENUES, SUBJECT TO A VERY STRICT ADHERENCE PROTOCOL.

We are constantly receiving enquiries regarding the re-introduction of f2f mediations for certain types of dispute and many of these are proposed at venues provided by the enquirer. Subject to approval of the suitability of the arrangements, flexible bookings are being taken dependent upon the progress of the Covid-19 suppression and vaccine programme. The safety of the participants has to come first and the Mediator maintains the right to postpone, defer or cancel a mediation meeting if Government restrictions are re-introduced or the protocol can’t be observed. To discuss this in more detail and your requirements, please contact;

Colin Stewart Robertson – Accredited Mediator

The author has been involved in conflict resolution and negotiation for over 45 years; an involvement in mediation for 20 years and an Accredited Mediator since 2012. If you wish to discuss your own workplace dispute then see www.csraccreditedmediator.uk for further details and contact csrobertson@csraccreditedmediator.uk or 0113-284-2859.

FOR THOSE NOT YET READY TO MEET UP INSIDE FOR ANY MEETINGS, FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE, THIS PRACTICE IS OFFERING A HIGHER STANDARD ALTERNATIVE FACE TO FACE (f2f) PROTOCOL FOR WORKPLACE & COMMUNITY/NEIGHBOUR MEDIATIONS ONLY, EMPLOYING INCREASED DISTANCING (3m), STRICTER VENTILATION STANDARDS IN A SEMI INDOOR/EXTERNAL VENUE. THIS PROTOCOL IS SUBJECT TO ANY NECESSARY CHANGES, IN LINE WITH CURRENT GOVERNMENT GUIDELINES, TO ENSURE A HIGHER STANDARD IS MAINTAINED.

Whilst online mediation is undoubtedly here to stay, particularly for Commercial, Workplace and simpler non-monetary disputes, the demand for f2f quite rightly continues. The f2f mediation format is still the ‘gold standard’, however, for obtaining the best results in disputes involving personal relationships such as Community/Neighbour, boundary issues and some Workplace disputes.

The Summer 2021 ‘Lockdown’ relaxation still advises the continuance of the recommended distancing and hygiene standards. Prior to this the distancing recommendation was 2m but now these requirements have been left to establishments to adopt the most appropriate ranging from 2m, 1m, screens or PPE. For the purposes of mediation it is not necessary to lower the original 2m distancing recommendation. On the contrary, to ensure the best option we have increased the original government recommended 2m by 50% and adopted a 3m (9feet 10inches) distancing protocol between all parties.

This protocol has been successfully employed through a venue in the Leeds area (and also at a client’s own open-sided external facilities) allowing us to offer both an external venue (weather permitting) and a large open-sided internal space ensuring a constant ventilation supply of fresh air rather than recirculated air. This along with strict cleaning/hygiene standards assists the safety of parties beyond the Government’s guidelines. This satisfies the three recommendations of distance (exceeded by 50%), hygiene and fresh air ventilation. Finally, this removes the need for face coverings (once seated) during the meeting, but hand sanitisers are still recommended and supplied.

Strict conditions will apply before the mediation can proceed on the day. The safety of the participants has to come first and the Mediator maintains the right to postpone, defer or cancel a mediation meeting if Government restrictions are re-introduced.

If you wish to discuss how this could be implemented at our Leeds area venue* or in your workplace (subject to the above protocol requirements), then please contact;

Colin Stewart Robertson – Accredited Mediator

(Last updated 29 May 2021)