HomeSituationsWorkplaceManager and employee breakdown
TN/SIT/08
Edition 2027 · effective 1 January 2027
Workplace · Manager and employee breakdown
Two people who must work together every day no longer trust each other.
Workplace mediation is confidential, voluntary and quick. It works best before formal procedures begin and is widely used to restore working relationships.
§ 01What it looks like
Recognise it early. The earliest moment is the cheapest.
What you notice first
Small, and easy to explain away.
- One-to-ones are cancelled or become hostile
- Performance concerns and grievances arrive at the same time
- Colleagues are pulled in
- Sick leave increases
What waiting can cost
Usually more than the original issue.
- Two careers
- Team performance
- Legal and reputational risk
UK employees who experienced conflict at work in one year; 485,800 resign as a result each year.Acas, Estimating the costs of workplace conflict (2021) · 2019 ↗
§ 02The Neutral route
Usually: Mediation.
A mediator gives both people a confidential space to be heard and agree how they will work together.
Mediation
The parties decide. The mediator never imposes.
Also used · InformalOmbuds
The person decides what to do. The Ombuds helps them see the options.
§ 03The steps
What a good process looks like.
- Offer mediation early and genuinelyBefore anything else01
- Choose an external or independent mediatorThe moment independence enters02
- Keep it confidential and voluntaryWhere the work is done03
- Agree a reviewSo it holds04
§ 04Prepare and avoid
What to bring. What to leave out.
(Bring)
01
A short summary from each side
02
Current roles and responsibilities
03
Any formal process already started
04
Support available to both
(Avoid)
✕
Mediation where there is a serious misconduct allegation that must be investigated
✕
Making mediation compulsory
§ 05Your version
Every situation is different. Describe yours.
§ 06Related