Mediation At Work - Why I'm A Certified Workplace Mediator

Over the past two years, I have been asked multiple times to help mediate workplace conflicts involving neurodivergent employees. Yet I declined each time because I wasn’t trained in mediation and I just didn’t feel comfortable taking on such an important role, without any training.

But those requests stayed with me, and I started researching mediation at work. What I discovered was eye-opening. Research indicates that a significant factor contributing to the resignation or dismissal of neurodivergent employees, is miscommunication and a lack of understanding of neurodiversity.

Discrimination from management

For instance, a 2023 study by Birkbeck's Research Centre for Neurodiversity at Work found that 65% of neurodivergent employees feared discrimination from management, leading many to conceal their neurodivergent conditions. This concealment can result in unmet needs and misunderstandings in the workplace.

Additionally, a 2024 Forbes article highlighted that poor understanding of neurodiversity by employers often leads to communication breakdowns and unmet expectations, which can cause misunderstandings and job loss for neurodivergent individuals.

These findings underscore the importance of fostering a workplace culture that understands and supports neurodiversity to improve retention and satisfaction among neurodivergent employees.

Bridging the gap
I realised that workplace mediation, when conducted by someone who is both professionally trained and is also neurodivergent themselves, could bridge this gap. It could foster better understanding, improve team dynamics, and reduce unnecessary turnover.

So, at the end of 2024, I embarked on a journey to become a certified workplace mediator and I’m officially certified in mediation! My training and certificate covers all workplace mediation and is not specific to neurodiversity or just working with neurodivergent individuals. Although I was officially diagnosed as autistic and with ADHD in my forties and so I do understand the challenges that the workplace can bring.

Different outcome

When I told my boss that I was diagnosed autistic, I was shocked at his response. The next day he rang to apologise having had a phone call from HR. This incident was the catalyst for me leaving the company, yet with workplace medication it could have been a different outcome.

To find out more check out ‘workplace mediation’. My goal is to help teams navigate conflict with empathy, understanding, and constructive solutions.

Let’s build workplaces where everyone can thrive.