Day 1: Foundations & Early-Phase Skills | 08:30-18:00
Understand the mediation process, develop active listening techniques, and learn how to manage emotions in workplace disputes.
Employment and Workplace Mediator Skills Training: Module 1
Master the skills to resolve workplace disputes effectively with training tailored specifically to employment and workplace conflict.
Net Promoter Score: 87
Meet The People Behind Our Training
At CEDR, our trainers and facilitators aren't academics teaching theory from textbooks - they're seasoned practitioners who apply these skills in high-stakes environments every single day. From resolving multi-billion pound commercial disputes to defusing hostage crises, our team of over 50 expert mediators across 20 countries represent the pinnacle of real-world conflict expertise.
CEDR Trainers
99% of attendees rate the faculty's teaching style as excellent.
The difference between CEDR training and other programmes comes down to one principle: our trainers teach what they practice every day. As the most experienced body of mediation trainers globally, CEDR has refined adult learning techniques over 35 years to ensure engaging, practical training throughout.
Every member of CEDR's training faculty maintains an active professional practice. They're not teaching from outdated case studies or textbook theories - they're sharing techniques they used last week, challenges they navigated last month, and emerging trends they're seeing right now.
Your Progress After CEDR's Training
You'll become demonstrably better at the interpersonal challenges that matter most in your current role - including mediating formal disputes and managing grievances.
Improved Active Listening & Negotiation
Listen with genuine impact
Alumni report that they have moved beyond passive hearing to active listening that uncovers hidden motivations, built authentic rapport, and de-escalated tense situations. Participants consistently cite improved listening as the skill that changes everything - from team meetings to client conversations to negotiations.
Negotiated with confidence and complexity
Built the confidence to apply advanced negotiation techniques not just in mediations, but in collective bargaining, commercial deals, stakeholder management, and everyday workplace discussions.
Successfully Navigating Difficult Conversations & Managing Emotions
Navigate difficult conversations successfully
Gained the confidence to deliver challenging messages, provide constructive feedback, and challenge assumptions without derailing relationships. Mastered the art of holding conversations others avoid - and getting productive outcomes from them.
Managing emotions (yours and others') productively
Learnt techniques to maintain composure under pressure, diffuse tension, and help others move from defensive positions to constructive problem-solving.
Improved Productivity & Understanding of Your Conflict/Negotiation Style
Facilitated meetings that actually progress
Transformed how attendees chaired meetings and managed stakeholder discussions. Improved confidence with knowing when to relay information, who should speak, how to structure conversations for different groups, and how to move past deadlock strategically.
Improved Awareness of Conflict & Negotiation Style
Helped to recognise its limitations, and learn to deploy different approaches strategically. This self-awareness accelerates your development in every professional context.
The Difference Between Mediator Skills Training and Employment & Workplace Mediator Skills Training
All role-plays and practice scenarios focus specifically on employment and workplace disputes - grievances, team conflicts, performance issues, redundancy disputes, discrimination claims, and relationship breakdowns between colleagues. You're not practising generic commercial scenarios; you're preparing for the exact situations you'll encounter in workplace mediation.
Unsure Which Is Right For You?
Choosing between them doesn’t have to be guesswork. Contact our training team today to discuss your needs.
Trusted by individuals and global brands
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"I had the privilege of completing this course in London in 2023, becoming an accredited mediator as a result. It has been genuinely transformative—both for my own practice and for the individuals and organisations I’ve had the opportunity to support through mediation. I now have a focus on Workplace Mediation and this training was instrumental in enabling me to provide effective solutions for resolving workplace disputes as well as Employment Tribunal matters."
Dawn Dickson, Employment Partner, Anderson Strathern
"This training encourages critical thinking; a lost jewel of current education and training methods"
Irving Forestier, People & Labour Relations Partner, Takeda
"What an intense mediation learning journey! It was challenging, fun with shared kindness, benevolence and warmth!"
Anne Rolland Herlin, Head of Human Resources
"I found the workplace and employment mediation skills course exceptionally valuable, striking an ideal balance between clear, well-grounded theory and practical role plays. The course leaders were excellent—knowledgeable, approachable, and highly effective at pacing the sessions to cover a substantial amount of material without it feeling too rushed."
Lisa Farthing, Head of HR Consultancy, Lewis Silkin
"A hugely engaging, interactive and inspiring course, I would thoroughly recommend!"
Nicola Cook, Employment Counsel, Activision Blizzard
"An excellent and highly relevant course for anyone looking to mediate in practice in the workplace."
Martin Hamilton, Managing Partner, Capsticks
After Accreditation: Continued Support and Connection to CEDR
MyCEDR
Mediator Professional Development
MyCEDR Membership
- Exclusive access to six masterclasses per year and various in-person events
- Observe an actual CEDR mediation*
- Access to MyCEDR resources, including exclusive articles
- Discounts and priority booking for CEDR advanced training seminars and events
Mediator Professional Development
Earning your CEDR Accreditation is the beginning, not the end, of your mediation journey. All newly accredited mediators receive free access to four MPD sessions during their first year. These sessions provide ongoing skill development and networking opportunities with fellow practitioners.
Example sessions:
- Marketing Yourself and Your Mediation Practice
- Advanced Negotiation for Mediators
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Top Tips from Experienced Mediators
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Creative Use of Mediator Skills: Beyond a 'Day' in Mediation