Mediation
What is Mediation?
Facing a workplace conflict? Seeking a cost-effective alternative to litigation? Need a confidential space to resolve disputes?
Popoki offers professional workplace mediation services designed to resolve issues early, improve communication, and maintain professional relationships. Mediation is a structured, voluntary process where an impartial mediator facilitates discussions between parties to help them reach a mutually acceptable resolution.
Unlike formal grievance procedures or court proceedings, employment mediation empowers individuals to take control of the outcome, fostering collaboration and understanding.
How the Mediation Process Works:
Mediation is entirely confidential where discussions cannot be disclosed or used in future proceedings without consent. This creates a safe environment for honest dialogue, helping to prevent escalation and restore working relationships.
Choosing cost-effecrtive workplace mediation services can reduce workplace tension, save time and resources, and strengthen team morale.
Let’s explore how professional HR mediation sits alongside our broader HR consultancy services to support your organisation.
Civil and Commercial Mediation
Got a dispute in a contract or partnership? Mediation offers a faster, more cost-effective resolution than going to court. It protects relationships and allows both sides to stay in control. For more complex or entrenched situations, our commercial dispute resolution services provide additional pathways to settlement.
Our civil and commercial mediation services follow a clear process:
Mediation is confidential and ‘without prejudice’, nothing discussed can be used in future court proceedings.
The mediator shares no information without your consent.
Why use mediation?
Most cases settle in a single day. The payoff? Resolution, clarity, and momentum—without drawn-out litigation.
Workplace and Employment Mediation
Facing team tension, disengagement, or a grievance? Our HR mediation services offer a positive and structured opportunity to reset, and complement our ongoing employee relations services to support healthy, productive workplaces.
We help individuals:
Our mediator is an impartial facilitator, skilled in communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution. We don’t judge or decide for you. We enable progress.
The HR Mediation Process
Why early mediation works:
Mediation is faster, cheaper, and more effective than formal grievance procedures. We also offer online workplace mediation services, allowing teams to resolve disputes remotely.
Our Services and Fees
Marie is accredited by The Society of Mediators and registered with the Civil Mediation Council (CMC) as an Associate Mediator.
We offer:
Online HR mediations incur no additional costs. In-person sessions may include room hire, travel, or accommodation. Extra hours are £100 + VAT per party.
Note: All parties must agree to mediate for a session to proceed.
Contact us to book or enquire about your specific needs.
Complaints Process
If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of mediation delivered by Popoki Mediation, we want to hear from you.
Please get in touch so we can resolve the issue promptly.
Our full complaints procedure is available here.
Confidentiality
Mediation is strictly confidential. Discussions cannot be shared or used in any legal, administrative, or disciplinary process. Neither mediator nor participants can be called as witnesses or asked to give evidence.
Accreditation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is workplace mediation and when should I use it?
Workplace mediation is a confidential, voluntary process where a trained, neutral third party uses a facilitative approach to help employees resolve disputes constructively. Rather than imposing solutions, the mediator guides both parties through structured dialogue to reach their own agreement. It is most effective when conflicts escalate beyond normal management, relationships break down, or formal grievances arise. ACAS reports that 90% of early conciliation cases are resolved without reaching tribunal — and mediation is one of the most effective early interventions available. With workplace conflict costing UK employers an estimated £28.5 billion annually (approximately £1,000 per employee), early mediation is both good practice and good business.
How much do workplace mediation services cost?
Workplace mediation costs in the UK typically range from £150-£180 per hour for straightforward disputes, £750 for half-day sessions (3-4 hours), and £1,500 for full-day mediation. A typical two-person workplace dispute requires 2-3 sessions (approximately £1,500-£2,250 total). Costs are normally paid by the employer.
The business case is compelling: compare mediation costs against the average employment tribunal cost of £8,500 per case (DavidsonMorris), average unfair dismissal awards of £13,749, and legal fees for tribunal defence of £10,000-£50,000+. Factor in the cost of employee turnover (50-150% of annual salary) and the £28.5 billion annual cost of workplace conflict to UK employers (ACAS), and mediation represents a fraction of the alternative. Contact us for a detailed quote based on your specific situation.
Is workplace mediation legally binding?
Workplace mediation itself is not legally binding, but any agreement reached during the process can be formalised into a legally binding settlement if all parties consent. The mediation process is confidential, and mediators do not make decisions for the parties — they facilitate constructive dialogue to help you reach a mutually acceptable resolution. It’s worth noting that the Employment Rights Act 2025 has extended ACAS early conciliation from 6 to 12 weeks, giving employers more time to resolve disputes through mediation before they reach tribunal.
What types of workplace disputes can mediation resolve?
Mediation can address a wide range of employment disputes, including personality conflicts, communication breakdowns, allegations of bullying or harassment, team disagreements, and grievances. We use a facilitative mediation model — the dominant approach in UK workplace mediation — where the mediator does not impose solutions but helps parties communicate openly, understand each other’s perspectives, and reach their own agreement. This is informed by established frameworks such as the FAIR model (Facilitate, Appreciate, Innovate, Resolve), developed by the TCM Group, which provides a structured four-stage process widely used in UK workplace settings. Our employee relations services work alongside mediation to prevent issues from escalating to formal proceedings or employment tribunals.
How long does workplace mediation take?
Most workplace mediation sessions are completed in one to two days, though complex cases may require additional follow-up sessions. The process is designed to be time-efficient while allowing sufficient space for meaningful dialogue. We also offer ongoing support through our dispute resolution services to ensure lasting outcomes, and some leaders find executive coaching a valuable complement to mediation for longer-term development.
What is CMC accreditation and why does it matter?
CMC (Civil Mediation Council) accreditation is the UK’s recognised quality standard for civil, commercial, and workplace mediators. Marie Hart holds CMC accreditation, which requires: a minimum of 40 hours of accredited mediation training (most programmes exceed 50+ hours), three mediation observations (‘pupillage’) with qualified mediators, annual CPD (Continuing Professional Development) of at least 6 hours, adherence to the CMC Code of Practice, professional indemnity insurance, and access to an independent complaints service. CMC is used by the Ministry of Justice as a mark of quality assurance — only CMC-accredited mediators can be included on the Government’s official listing of civil mediators. This accreditation ensures you’re working with a professionally trained, insured, and accountable mediator who follows nationally recognised standards.