Mediation Ambassadors Program

  1. All Plans, Policies, and Procedures
  2. Mediation Ambassadors Program

The District's Mediation Program for employees aims to resolve conflicts early, fostering a healthy organizational culture built on trust and respect. We encourage all employees to raise issues and concerns confidently, knowing they will be handled respectfully through direct communication and collaboration. At NOCCCD, we are committed to inclusive, productive engagement where all voices are heard.

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The NOCCCD Mediation Program is designed to create a platform that helps resolve conflicts and disputes between employees in a voluntary, informal, and confidential manner. Mediation is used to resolve a broad range of conflicts within a variety of settings. Mediation is a process in which an impartial third party facilitates communication and negotiation and promotes voluntary decision making by the parties to the dispute. Mediation serves various purposes, including providing the opportunity for parties to define and clarify issues, understand different perspectives, identify interests, explore and assess possible solutions, and reach mutually satisfactory agreements, when desired. In addition, mediation can help to reveal and discover the deeper workplace cultural issues that may be occurring. This dialogue may also lead to a better understanding of issues affecting the workplace

Benefits of Mediation

There are many benefits to Mediation. These benefits include:

  • Providing a structured process for addressing disagreements and/or misunderstandings in the workplace
  • Providing an alternative to the formal grievance process and/or procedures
  • Improving working relationships between parties involved
  • Creating a space where a neutral third party, a District mediator, facilitates the process, helping the parties to communicate effectively and explore potential solutions
  • Allowing parties to have control over their own outcomes
  • Encouraging open and constructive communication
  • Addressing conflicts early on and may prevent them escalating into more serious situations

The informal and confidential nature of mediation can reduce stress and improve employee morale. The mediation process is designed to operate independently and is intended to address issues that fall outside the scope of contractual rights and obligations.

Eligibility

Every employee of NOCCCD is eligible to participate in the District’s Mediation Program. The program is voluntary for all parties involved, including the employee who initiates the mediation request and the employee who accepts it.

Employee classification types include:

  • Classified Professionals
  • Classified 'Confidential'
  • Faculty (including Adjuncts)
  • Management
  • Temporary Employees (Student Employees, Special Projects Administrators, Professional Experts, Peer Educators, Adult Hourly, etc.).

Limitations

The Mediation Program does not cover the following:

  • Resolution involving student academic issues
  • The Mediation program does not replace or interfere with any provisions in a representative unit member’s contract or collective bargaining agreement.
  • Issues related protected classes and/or protected characteristics
  • Grade or employment grievances
  • Issues related to Title IX or sexual harassment
  • The program does not replace or remove an employee’s right specified in AP 3410 Unlawful Discrimination

More About the Mediation Ambassadors Program

Mediation is a process of employee engagement and discussion in which an acceptable neutral person or persons, with no decision-making authority or power to impose a resolution, intervenes in the conflict or dispute at the request of the participants, with the goal of supporting them in reaching an agreement. The process of mediation helps employees reach a mutually acceptable agreement and resolution to their current workplace situation and/or workplace dynamic

The NOCCCD Mediation Program is dedicated to fostering a positive and inclusive work environment by providing accessible and confidential mediation services. We are committed to resolving conflicts at the earliest opportunity through respectful dialogue, ensuring that every employee’s voice is heard and valued. Our goal is to empower employees to engage constructively in conflict resolution, promoting mutual understanding, collaboration, and a harmonious workplace

The NOCCCD Mediation Program envisions a supportive and healthy organizational culture where conflicts are addressed proactively and constructively. We aspire to create a community where trust, respect, and open communication are the foundation of our interactions, and where conflict is viewed as an opportunity for personal and professional growth, leading to stronger relationships and a more dynamic, creative, and engaged workforce.

FAQs

Mediation is a process of employee engagement and discussion in which an acceptable neutral person or persons, with no decision-making authority or power to impose a resolution, intervenes in the conflict or dispute at the request of the participants.

No. This program is meant to be a neutral platform where dialogue can take place between parties involved who may be having a conflict or disagreement. If there is a disagreement or an alleged violation on an issue within any of our District’s collective bargaining agreements, the mediation is not the appropriate method of addressing issue(s).

Yes. The mediation program is voluntary and either party can withdraw at any time during the process.

The program has several purposes:

  • Create a platform that helps resolve conflicts and disputes between employees in a voluntary, informal, and confidential manner
  • Provide the opportunity for parties to define and clarify issues, understand different perspectives, identify interests, explore and assess possible solutions together without fear of judgement or retaliation
  • Help reveal and discover the deeper workplace cultural issues that may be occurring and may be affecting the workplace

This employee mediation program falls under the prevue of both the Equal Employment Opportunity/Compliance Office, as well as the Office of Diversity, Culture, and Inclusion. The current structure brings together members of both offices and serve as co-facilitators in the process.

Every employee of NOCCCD is eligible to participate in the District’s Mediation Program. This includes: 

  • Classified Professionals
  • Classified Confidential
  • Faculty (including Adjuncts)
  • Management
  • Temporary Employees (Student Employees, Special Projects Administrators, Professional Experts, Peer Educators, Adult Hourly, etc.)

No. This program is meant to support members of our employee groups mentioned in #6. Whenever a student is involved in a dispute, conflict, or disagreement with an employee, parties need to consult with campus resources for support in this area.

The Mediation Program does not cover the following:

  • Resolution involving student academic issues
  • The Mediation program does not replace or interfere with any provisions in a representative unit member’s contract or collective bargaining agreement.
  • Issues related protected classes and/or protected characteristics
  • Grade or employment grievances
  • Issues related to Title IX or sexual harassment
  • The program does not replace or remove an employee’s right specified in AP 3410 Unlawful Discrimination

We encourage any and all employees to reach out to the EEO District Director or mediation@nocccd.edu for any questions or inquiries. You are also welcome to reach out to the DCI District Director as an additional resource.

Yes. All parties have the right to have union representative (if applicable).