Mediation in the Workplace: A Guide for Training, Practice, and Administration (review)

What is most impressive about Rebecca Weinstein's book, Mediation in the Workplace, is how she is able to be so comprehensive and thorough in 232 pages. She has packed a wealth of information into her slim volume, using a writing style that is direct and easy to understand. By the end, the reader has a clear and complete idea of what mediation is, why it is beneficial for dealing with workplace disputes, how to implement a program, and finally, how to mediate.

The organization of Mediation in the Workplace is user friendly, with three sections: theory and practice, exercises, and program implementation. Several topics are covered within each section, and throughout the text, each topic contains several subheadings, making it very easy for the reader to preview a topic and read more efficiently.

Weinstein begins with the basic theoretical explanation of conflict, mediation and its benefits in solving workplace disputes. Her section on the practice of mediating is extensive, and she ends by including model policy and procedure language for implementing a mediation program.

Learning to mediate requires hands on training, but new mediators also need a "mediator manual" which comprehensively discusses the elements necessary to mediate effectively. Weinstein provides such a manual and also includes an impressive array of exercises to practice the many skills a mediator needs from how to build trust to questioning techniques. Weinstein's 125 pages of "mediator manual" makes her book a perfect textbook for teaching mediation courses, although the $67.50 price tag might be a deterrent for some.

Although Weinstein's background includes some time as a union attorney, her book does not focus on using mediation in unionized workplaces, but rather using mediation in the workplace in general. Still, Weinstein makes a compelling argument for using mediation in unionized settings when she states, "Issues that involve poor communication or other concerns, while important to workers, do not rise to the level of union involvement. Mediation is an opportunity for unions to remove themselves from dilemmas that they perceive as trivial, but cause distress for workers."

She acknowledges that mediation is not a substitute for union grievance procedures. But she observes that many unionized workplaces have adopted mediation programs which have built-in mechanisms to ensure the integrity of the union contract and grievance procedure. Weinstein asserts that, "For the unions, mediation offers the best of both worlds, freedom from the burden of becoming entrenched in day-to-day conflict, and the right to approve or rescind agreements if need be."

In summary, Weinstein believes that mediation has a legitimate and useful function in the workplace for solving everyday disputes and preventing them from getting out of hand. Her book tells readers everything they need to know to implement such a program.