Productivity can decrease significantly when key members of your business or organization have unresolved interpersonal or workplace-related issues.  These conflicts can be as a result of perceived or actual employment situations, race or sex discrimination, business practices and/or conflicts related to interpersonal issues. The dynamics of these issues can cause chaos in the working environment and can destroy the morale and productivity of an organization.  The litigation response can polarize members of an organization and can cost the employer and the employee countless thousands of dollars in attorney and other fees.  In contrast, mediation can resolve these conflicts quickly - in most cases in a few short hours. 

 

         Mediated settlements result in agreements which are crafted by the parties, not by the courts.  Statistically, parties who create their own agreements are not only more satisfied with the outcomes but they are also more likely to abide by agreements of their own design.  The concerns of each party are quickly addressed, and trust can be successfully restored. The end result? Not only will the mediation process be completed in less time with lower cost and with an outcome that is more satisfactory to the participants, but you, the employer, will have more focused, more productive members of your team.  

BUSINESS PRODUCTIVITY AND DIVORCE

         Statistics prove that the productivity of an employee who is engaged in a protracted divorce proceeding is compromised dramatically. Many psychologists report that divorce is one of, if not the greatest, stressor that an individual will experience in his or her lifetime - perhaps more stressful than the death of a loved one. When an employee is fearful of being disenfranchised from children, fearful of the emotional and economic impact of divorce on both their children and themselves, and fearful of uncertain outcomes, there is no way that he or she can be productive in the workplace.

         Employers and organizations are now realizing that referring their troubled employees to the mediation process will produce a “win/win” scenario for both the employer and the employees.  While the average divorce proceeding can take 15 to 25 months, the average duration of the divorce mediation process is approximately 15 hours.  Yes, HOURS.  The benefits?  The cost of mediation is literally a fraction of the cost of litigation, and your employees will be more productive in the workplace.     

 

         The answers to all of your questions about the mediation process can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions about Business, Organizational and Workplace Mediation section of this site. If, after reviewing these materials, you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. I will be more than happy to give you the information that you need to decide if participating in mediation is the right choice for you. 

 

          Also remember that a website such as this is merely an introduction to my practice.  In my opinion, it cannot take the place of a complimentary consultation.   If you would like to meet with me, please contact my assistant Susan for an appointment at either my Albany, New York office or at my Clifton Park, New York office.

                                                                            Best Wishes,
   

                                                                            Jeffrey M. Cohen, Esq.