Intervention > Workplace Community Conferencing


What is Workplace Community Conferencing?
Workplace Community Conferencing is a formal meeting of a group of people who have been affected by workplace conflict. The conference provides an opportunity for the participants to express concerns they have about conflict, interpersonal staff relations and communication in the workplace. The focus of the conference shifts from the past, to the present, to the future. It has been found that as the focus shifts, so the motivation of participants changes from conflict to cooperation. Before the conference is closed, solutions are negotiated and documented in a formal agreement.

Conferences can last for anywhere between three and five hours. The number of participants can range from ten to 30, dependent upon the nature and severity of the conflict.

Workplace Community Conferencing is a form of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).


How does Workplace Community Conferencing Work?
Workplace Community Conferences are organised and guided by experienced and professional dispute facilitators. Facilitators act as referees and avoid becoming emotionally involved in issues that arise during a conference. Organisations normally appoint outside professionals to act as facilitators.

The main roles of conference facilitators are to:
• identify sources of conflict in a system of relationships
• bring the people in that system together in a circle
• ask questions of participants in a specific sequence
• begin with open questions about incidents and/or issues that contributed to the conflict
• ask open questions that foster greater understanding of the present effects of the conflict
• referee the process as participants experience the transformation of conflict into cooperation, and
• assist with the negotiation of an agreement to repair past harms and minimise future problems.

Prior to the conference, the facilitator meets with each individual who has been directly involved in the conflict to help prepare for the meeting. Equipped with knowledge about the dispute, the facilitator creates an agenda that is circulated to participants prior to the meeting.

During the course of the conference the issues surrounding the conflict, along with unwritten organisational rules such as ‘organisational culture’, are discussed. The workplace community also decides whether it should seek to change some or any of their workplace behaviours and practices.

All workplace conferences conclude with a plan of action with deadlines and clearly allocated responsibilities.

Is Workplace Community Conferencing for You?
Workplace community conferencing is appropriate for organisations in which one or more of the following is taking place:
• possible wrongful dismissal
• malicious gossip
• racial vilification and discrimination
• sexual harassment
• industrial espionage
• theft
• breaching of regulations
• abusive supervision
• safety breaches
• inadequate or abusive management

What are the Benefits of Workplace Community Conferencing?
Workplace Community Conferencing provides a range of benefits to managers and staff within workplaces:
• provides staff with an opportunity to come together in a safe environment to discuss and solve issues surrounding a conflict
• focuses on finding and implementing positive and productive outcomes
• reduces rates of repeat problems and behaviours
• generates support among individuals who have been affected by the conflict
• improves staff members’ perceptions and feelings toward their employers who are seen to have provided the time for the conference
• increases rates of participant satisfaction, and
• enhances the quality of relationships among those affected by the conflict.

Workplace Community Conferencing is an appropriate alternative to mediation and arbitration because it deals primarily with general conflict rather than specific disputes.

Workplace Community Conferencing effectively deals with immediate problems and improves the types of communication channels and styles used among people in workplaces.

Conferencing has also proved to be effective and suitable when:
• there are many disputes, most of which are merely symptoms of deeper conflict; or
• there is no specific dispute between individuals, but conflict between groups to which they belong.

Workplace Community Conferencing interventions have taken place in sectors ranging from mining, metalworking, civil engineering and construction, through transport, wholesaling and retailing, to television and radio, information technology, hospitals and medical research, and church communities.

Why Choose ITIM?
• All ITIM Workplace Community Conference facilitators are qualified professionals with many years’ experience in their specialty areas.
• ITIM facilitators are good listeners and expert at guiding people in conflict through a dispute and into finding and documenting workable solutions
• All facilitators belong to their professional associations.
• ITIM is a Level One Member of the Employee Assistance Professionals Association of Australia Inc.

Training Workshops
ITIM Australia provides a wide range of specialised and tailored training workshops and seminars that meet the existing and future needs of people in organisations. All courses aim to enhance the organisational, professional and personal development of employees. ITIM is committed to assisting organisations to achieve safe, positive and productive work environments.

What will it Cost?
The cost for ITIM’s services varies depending upon the service being selected and if it is being purchased in combination with other ITIM programs. ITIM services organisations throughout metropolitan and regional Australia. Contact ITIM on freecall 1800 337 068 for a listing of services and associated costs. ITIM is a 100 per cent Australian organisation.


Book an Appointment
To book an appointment, telephone ITIM on freecall 1800 337 068. The receptionist will ask you a few questions about the types of services you are interested in before connecting you with an ITIM consultant who will best meet your needs.

You can also book an appointment online by emailing itim@itim.com.au.


Email an Expert
For more specialist information on this service, email an ITIM expert at itim@itim.com.au. ITIM has specialists around Australia who will promptly reply to your query. In your email, please include the area you wish to find out more about and name of the town/city and Australian State in which you are based. This is to ensure the expert who replies to your query is located in your area. ITIM abides by privacy regulations and will not disclose your personal details to anyone or place your contact details on the ITIM marketing list unless you specifically request to be added to it.