All Blog Posts (2,575)

University of Texas Report Provides a Template for Creating an Organizational Ombuds Program

For the past couple of years, employees at UT Austin have been agitating for an ombudsperson for staff issues. The campus has long had ombuds offices for its 50,000 students and 2,900 faculty, but the workforce of 21,000 have never had a dedicated resource for confidential, neutral and informal conflict resolution.

That appears to be changing. Earlier this year, UT President Bill Powers asked the Staff Council to review the subject and make a recommendation. Last week,… Continue

Added by Tom A. Kosakowski on May 25, 2010 at 12:30pm — No Comments

Don't Touch, Especially the Women

Previously Published on Mediation Matters

By Steven G. Mehta

There have been several studies over the years that show that slight physical contact between two people interacting is good for the connectivity of the person. However, I just saw an article that reflects that touching might increase risk taking.… Continue

Added by Steven G. Mehta on May 25, 2010 at 10:00am — 1 Comment

Conflict Resolution Comes to Nick Jr.!

Originally posted at www.EnjoyMediation.com

Conflict Resolution comes to Nick Jr., no joke!

Nick Jr. will begin airing a new series June 1st called The Olive Branch, produced by Josh Selig’s Little Light Foundation.…

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Added by Jeff Thompson on May 25, 2010 at 4:30am — No Comments

Role-Plays for Resolution!

Originally posted at www.EnjoyMediation.com

There is a new workbook now available which sets out to help those involved in conflict resolution prepare themselves for the real deal.

What better way to prepare for conflict then..... Role-plays!

Now whatever version of 'roleplaying' you might be… Continue

Added by Jeff Thompson on May 24, 2010 at 5:00pm — No Comments

Wash Your Hands Clean of the Matter OR Decision

http://www.stevemehta.wordpress.com Previously Published on Mediation Matters

By Steven G. Mehta

It always fascinates me how the small things can make subtle differences in the way we make decisions. I always think about these issues and how negotiators will make decisions. One metaphor I recently thought about was the one of washing… Continue

Added by Steven G. Mehta on May 19, 2010 at 10:00am — No Comments

New Technology For Conflict Resolution Professionals

Originally posted at www.EnjoyMediation.com

5 Way Video Chat Coming to Skype?…

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Added by Jeff Thompson on May 17, 2010 at 8:10am — 3 Comments

Argument Clinic

Previously Posted on Mediation Matters

By Steven G. MehtaGet Shortlink

Just for fun, I thought you might like the argument clinic. Here it… Continue

Added by Steven G. Mehta on May 12, 2010 at 12:00am — No Comments

Linking practice to results-There is no silver bullet

Originally Posted at www.thebusinessmediator.blogspot.com

In connection with a recent research project, I had the pleasure and opportunity to speak to some practitioners and companies about some key

drivers of results--at least according to "how to" books out there.

The first grouping of questions focused on alignment. There were

some themes that emerged in the answers. First, the CEO or

organizational… Continue

Added by Susan M Diehl on May 11, 2010 at 6:00am — No Comments

New Window On Mediation Offices Without Windows

Originally posted on Mediation Matters

By Steven G. Mehta

I have for a long time been thinking about how to create a window in a windowless environment. Perhaps I have seen too many science fiction movies where you can change the scene at will. I even joked with my friend and told her that I could live by the beach with a…

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Added by Steven G. Mehta on May 10, 2010 at 5:00pm — No Comments

How to Not Choke in the Mediation on Game Day

Originally Posted on Mediation Matters

By Steven G. Mehta

I have started to read some material written by Jonah Lehrer, a contributing editor at Wired and author of…

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Added by Steven G. Mehta on May 6, 2010 at 5:00pm — No Comments

Mediation Certification - another view

I really look forward to preparing for and participating in our Cafe Mediate podcasts because it makes me re-view my assumptions and opinions especially those I may have previously given a lot of thought to and even written or spoken about. I really look forward to "meeting up" with my colleagues on line and I find each session provokes reflection particularly on the points which raised differences between us.

At the end of our latest Cafe Mediate podcast, I was asked what were my… Continue

Added by Amanda Bucklow on May 3, 2010 at 3:18pm — No Comments

Q & A On Maryland Foreclosure Mediation Program

(Originally posted @ www.EnjoyMediation.com)

This is a great Q & A from the Baltimore Sun explaining the foreclosure mediation program in Maryland.

Questions from the article include:

What will change for home owners and…

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Added by Jeff Thompson on May 3, 2010 at 9:00am — No Comments

Is Interest-Based Mediation Derived from a Misunderstanding?

(Originally published in DIALOGIC Mediation)

Regular readers of this blog know that I practise mediation using the transformative model. (For more information, please see the tag, transformative mediation.)

The most prominent and dominant approach to mediation is, however, the interest-based model, derived from the concept of…

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Added by Arnold Zeman on May 1, 2010 at 10:00am — 5 Comments

First Report About Standard & Poor's New Ombuds Program Raises Questions About Usage

In January 2009, the financial services and publishing giant, announced the creation of ombuds office to address concerns about transparency and potential conflicts of interest in the rating process as well as analytical and governance processes. The move was promised by S&P's President Deven Sharma in her testimony to Congress when the company found itself accused of ethical lapses that contributed to the current credit market crisis. The decision by S&P also reflected a trend in the… Continue

Added by Tom A. Kosakowski on April 30, 2010 at 1:30pm — No Comments

New Case on Mediation Confidentiality

Originally Posted in Mediation Matters

By Steven G. Mehta

There has been a new case in California regarding mediation confidentiality. The gist of the case is to create an exception to confidentiality for communications between an attorney and her client -- especially for purposes of malpractice claims.

Here is… Continue

Added by Steven G. Mehta on April 30, 2010 at 12:30am — No Comments

CIVIL RIGHTS CLAIMS & UNAFFORDABLE ARBITRATION: LACK OF EMPLOYEE ACCESS TO ARBITRATION

CIVIL RIGHTS CLAIMS & UNAFFORDABLE ARBITRATION:

LACK OF EMPLOYEE ACCESS TO ARBITRATION

Copyright © April 24, 2010

BY CHRISTOPHER C. COOPER, PHD & CIVIL RIGHTS ATTORNEY

cooperlaw3234@gmail.com

The employer is saying that if my client wants

the employer to take action against 3 fellow employees

who call him “Nigger” that he has to pay half of the costs of arbitration.

The employee doesn’t have the money. See 10cv1013, U.S. D. Ct. N.… Continue

Added by Christopher C. Cooper on April 29, 2010 at 6:30pm — No Comments

Buying the cow: mediators, money, and value

The following article appeared originally on Mediation Channel.

During the many years now I've been in the mediation field I like to think I've given of my time generously on behalf of our profession.

I've devoted countless unpaid hours to serving on numerous boards and committees to advance the ADR field; organizing numerous conferences and workshops for mediators; volunteering in… Continue

Added by Diane Levin on April 29, 2010 at 4:19pm — No Comments

2010 International ODR Forum will be held in Buenos Aires on June 2-3, 2010

The 2010 International ODR Forum will be held in Buenos Aires on June 2-3, 2010. This is the first ODR Foum to be held in South America and information about registration, the program and other details is available at… Continue

Added by Alberto Elisavetsky on April 28, 2010 at 10:49am — No Comments

Farce Or Fantastic?

Northwest College has hired Pam Fisher for six days to provide mediation and facilitation services in regards to ongoing conflicts between administrators, faculty, staff and students at the college.

According to the Poweel Tribune:

"According to information in a…

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Added by Jeff Thompson on April 28, 2010 at 8:35am — No Comments

Let a Global Audience Decide Your Dispute

Originally Posted in Mediation Matters

By Steven G. Mehta

The legal and ADR might just have a new tool to use in their conflict resolution toolbox. I recently wrote an article about this in the Daily Journal. I thought you might like to see the content of the article...

Los Angeles Daily Journal, Friday… Continue

Added by Steven G. Mehta on April 27, 2010 at 12:30am — No Comments