From the CMP Resolution Blog of John Crawley, Lesley Allport and Katherine Graham.
The ‘Nudge’ principle recently embodied in the Coalition Government’s Nudge Unit was first developed by Richard Thaler and Carl Sunstein[1]. As discussed in my previous blog on the subject, “Changing the ‘choice architecture’ around mediation is the key”; Thaler and Sunstein argue persuasively that we each have the potential to be ‘choice architects’ and evidence the effectiveness of ‘libertarian paternalism’. This involves ‘nudges’ – ‘any aspect of the choice architecture that alters people’s behaviour in a predictable way without forbidding any options… Nudges are not mandates.’
Successive governments have backed mediation as both a sensible, humane response to workplace conflict and as a cost-efficient measure. Policy makers and HR professionals are positive about mediation and the mediation ‘profession’ has mobilised much credible evidence about the benefits of mediation to employees, employers and business[2]. The question remains, why mediation is not more widely used in the workplace.
I’ve designed nudges which will alter the choice architecture around mediation to increase understanding and uptake. Most of the nudges suggested are either free or resource neutral, or will utilise existing resources in a more organised way. These nudges will cut the cost of conflict at work and unlock many of the benefits of mediation, namely its ability to resolve disputes, restore relationships, revive motivation and improve performance.
The nudge approach encourages focused practical consideration of small steps which have a rapid and observable impact. It gets the mind out of neutral gear so that the journey forward has momentum. Below are three of CMP’s initial steps in the ‘nudge’ direction of travel. Read the White Paper:
‘Nudging Mediation: Applying ‘Nudge’ thinking to increase the use of mediation and cut the cost of conflict in the workplace”
One of the initial tenets of Thaler and Sunstein’s thinking is visibility – people are more likely to use something if it is the first, the most visible, and the most often selected choice. People are powerfully attached to the status quo and inclined to conform, particularly if they feel the eyes of their peer group upon them.
Like most measures which offer a solution to a relatively uncommon problem, mediation has not built up a critical mass of usage in the UK to encourage people to opt for it. The main alternative – litigation – has centuries of case-work, famous users, well-known practitioners, and a body of fiction and film in which the litigator is the star. Adjudication and litigation must remain part of workplace dispute resolution. A majority of distressed, hurt, disappointed people choose to put in a grievance and seek an investigation because this option feels more familiar and appears more conventional.
Mediation is not the norm, and many complaints which would be resolved by mediation never enter the process. The following nudges will deflect people from the idea that litigation, or grievance or formal process is the natural choice:
By positioning mediation as an Alternative Dispute Resolution process, we relegate it to a secondary place, reinforce the ‘status-quo bias’ and emphasise mediation’s lack of primacy. The term “alternative” evokes negative connotations: wacky, not for your ‘average’ person, left field. Mediation should be repositioned as concept and term in its own right. Let’s all start talking about ‘mediation’ not ADR.
Re-brand grievance procedures as ‘grievance resolution procedures’ or just ‘resolution procedures’ to emphasise resolution over grievance. A grievance procedure invites parties to grieve; a resolution procedure encourages parties to resolve.
Mediation is generally located under the ‘informal’ section of a grievance policy. ‘Formal’ in contrast sounds serious, credible, legitimate and powerful, and by implication ‘informal’ process are perceived as casual, relaxed, and ‘soft’. Renaming the processes available within a grievance procedure as ‘resolution options’, or ‘resolution pathways’ will identify each option by what it is, and the circumstances in which each is best used. Rather than an informal and formal section, describe a range of options each with their own characteristics and benefits.
[1] ‘Nudge – Improving Decisions about Health, Wealth and Happiness’; Thaler, Richard H and Sunstein, Carl R; Penguin 2009
[2] Contact CMP [email protected] for references and links for research on conflict at work and workplace mediation
Workplace Video 3 minute educational video showing the value of mediation for solving disputes created for the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution Mediation Video Contest.
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