Resolution at Work: From Conflict to Collaboration

ACAS estimates the cost of conflict to UK organisations is around £28.5 billion per year and suggests that 9.7 million employees per year experience conflict at work.

Resolution at Work is at the forefront of workplace mediation and conflict resolution, offering creative conflict management solutions that empower clients to manage workplace conflict and improve working relationships. Based in Cardiff and Bristol, the organisation has pioneered a comprehensive approach to positive conflict management, working across the public, private, and voluntary sectors. During her career as a specialist employment lawyer and HR practitioner, a founder and Managing Director of Resolution at Work, Alison Love, a law graduate from the University of Wales, Cardiff, came to recognise the detrimental impact unresolved conflicts have on businesses and individuals alike and realised the need for effective conflict resolution mechanisms in the workplace.

At the heart of Resolution at Work is a diverse team of highly experienced and independent experts, each bringing a wealth of knowledge from various sectors. The team is united by a shared vision – to transform workplace environments into spaces where conflict leads to constructive outcomes, fostering growth and understanding. Their collective expertise is pivotal in delivering a range of tailored interventions, namely:

• Mediation Services: Delivering independent mediation to facilitate understanding and resolution in workplace disputes. 
• Conflict Training & Workshops: Providing engaging and informative training like their award-winning Resolve! programme to enhance skills in managing conflicts.
• Neutral Assessments & Investigations: Offering a constructive alternative for managing employee relations issues. 
• Conflict and Resilience Coaching: Tailored coaching to improve how individuals manage and interact in conflicts at work.

The organisation’s comprehensive services aim not only to resolve conflicts but also to improve organisational health and profitability.

Since the inception of Resolution at Work, Alison has personally conducted over 200 workplace mediations and, in so doing, developed an award-winning Neutral Assessment approach to resolving team conflicts. This involves an independent, neutral third party helping the client organisation to understand the causes of complex employment issues and identify potential solutions. As Alison says, “Having experienced the limitations of formal and legal processes, I am convinced mediation is a better solution which brings real business benefit to the employer and allows the employee to be treated with dignity”.

In 2018, Resolution at Work was recognised as the Best External Consultancy for their Neutral Assessment approach, while more recently in 2024, the team’s dedication and innovation were celebrated at the CIPD Wales Awards, where they won Best Learning and Development Initiative for their Resolve! training programme. This is a game-based, interactive training day that immerses participants in realistic workplace conflict scenarios, teaching them to identify conflicts, consider options, and make decisions while understanding the consequences and costs of unresolved issues.

Image: theCIPDinWales: https://www.instagram.com/p/C4lAT4UIZTD/

Resolution at Work exemplifies the essence of a Harmonious Enterprise by balancing economic viability with significant societal benefits and the promotion of individual well-being. By focusing on resolving workplace conflicts to enhance mental health and job satisfaction, it goes beyond mere profit generation, and contributes to a more productive and positive society by improving organisational health and reducing conflict-related costs. It demonstrates how a sustainable for profit business model can benefit both the economy and the communities it serves. Through their innovative approach to conflict resolution, including mediation services and conflict management training, they not only ensure their own economic sustainability but also empower their clients to create more harmonious and supportive workplaces.

Buoyed by their recent recognition and proven track record, Resolution at Work is poised to continue its mission with renewed vigour, contributing as it does to SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). The team is actively expanding its services, exploring new methodologies, and seeking innovative solutions to meet the evolving challenges of workplace conflict. Overall Resolution at Work’s approach highlights the interconnectedness of peace, justice, and sustainability within the context of organisational health. Yet, focusing on resolving conflicts and enhancing workplace relationships, means they further contribute to several SDGs, including Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3) and Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8).

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