How does mediation work?
You and your spouse meet privately with the mediator, who helps you decide issues regarding your children, support, property division and other concerns. You make all of the decisions in a manner that is acceptable to you. Mediation provides a setting in which you can determine outcomes that are tailored to your individual situation. Back to top.
Mediation gives the parties the opportunity to discuss the issues raised in the complaint, clear up misunderstandings, find areas of agreement and, ultimately, to incorporate those areas of agreement into a final resolution of the complaint. The mediator focuses the attention of the parties upon their needs and interests rather than on their stated positions. Participation in the OSC Mediation Program is voluntary. In selected cases that are slated for referral to OSC s Investigation and Prosecution Division, the OSC ADR Specialist contacts the complainant and the employing agency to invite them to participate in the mediation program. If both parties agree, OSC schedules a Mediation Session. OSC mediators, who have extensive mediation training and experience in federal personnel law, conduct a mediation session at a mutually convenient time and location. If mediation results in resolution, the agreement is put into writing and becomes binding on both parties.
The parties and mediator work together to achieve the overall goals of clear communication, need identification and solution development. Generally, mediation proceeds as follows: 1. Both/all parties attend an initial joint session during which questions about mediation are answered and the mediator is provided with an overview of the situation bringing the parties to mediation. It is not necessary to bring any documents to this session. An overall plan for resolving issues is formulated by the parties and the mediator. During this meeting, issues requiring immediate attention may be addressed. Generally, an Agreement to Mediate is entered into during the first session and the parties are given “homework” assignments for the next session. 2. Usually, the mediator meets with each party individually for a few minutes at the beginning of the second session.
No one really has the exact answer to this question. The magic of mediation is that the process is respectful toward everyone involved. Several people are more likely to find an answer to a problem than one person is alone. The neutral third party changes the chemistry of the communication between the parties in conflict.
There are a series of mediation sessions, usually 1-2 hours long. Under the direction of the mediator, the couple gather and exchange financial and other information. Each party explains his or her feelings and thinking about each issue. With the help of the mediator, possible solutions are listed and discussed. The parties then develop an agreement that meets the needs of all family members.
