Dispute Resolution

WISE’s resolution services are offered to parties to a workplace dispute as an alternative to litigation at the CCMA or Labour Court.  The resolution services are aimed at achieving outcomes before parties become polarised in their positions and relationships break-down to irreparable extents. 

WISE uses a number of different approaches to bring about the resolution of workplace disputes.  The most common resolution formats are mediation or arbitration, or a mixture of the two.

At mediation, an independent mediator will not make a determination about
liability or merits of a dispute but will assist the parties to reach a resolution by
agreement, via an informal meeting. Arbitration is a more rigid process and an
arbitrator will formally hear evidence from the parties and make a binding 
determination to resolve the dispute.

WISE often uses a mixture of mediation and arbitration to bring the conflict to an end. In this format a mediator/arbitrator will first assist the parties to resolve the dispute by agreement and if that is not possible, will go on to make a ruling that each party must comply with. 

The major benefits that clients gain from using WISE’s dispute resolution services relate to significant time and money savings compared with the traditional litigious ways of concluding workplace disputes.. 

Clients often find that they also derive unexpected benefits from WISE’s involvement. Resolution of disputes the WISE way - by agreement rather than enforcement - can lead to an enhanced working environment, prevent the loss of key personnel or bring about actual productivity increases.

For more information on our dispute resolution techniques and how they can assist your organisation, refer to our Contact Us page.