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Mediation pilot for grievance cases in PDCS only

DWP/BB/083/08

Pilot consultation

PCS has provided advice for branches about the mediation pilot for DWP harassment, discrimination and bullying (HDB) cases in briefing DWP/BB/082/08.

This briefing outlines the very limited pilot related to grievance cases. This pilot is restricted to employees in the Pension, Disability and Carers Service ( PDCS) only. The DWP pilot policy procedures and Q & A for HDB mediation also includes guidance for the grievance cases pilot.

Working relationships

In grievance cases mediation cannot be used to review management’s decisions. However, mediation may be useful if there are issues with working relationships falling out of these decisions (pilot procedures, paras 7 &13).

The Group Executive Committee, at its meeting on 4 June 2008, agreed the pilot in principle.

Normal process

Mediation is not to be used to undermine the normal process whereby an unsuccessful grievance can be subject to appeal. Mediation
is not an alternative, nor an additional, right of appeal when a grievance about a management decision is unsuccessful. It is there to be requested by the complainant or offered by the manager where working relationships falling out of those decisions have been damaged. However, it cannot be used to change the grievance decision itself (pilot Q & A 17).

Voluntary participation

Participation in this pilot is voluntary. There must be no misunderstanding that such participation will change the management decision in question.

The mediation pilot in grievance cases is not about reviewing a management decision.

Further guidance

PCS guidance on grievances is currently published on the PCS DWP group website under HR guidance and includes under PDS:

Further guidance will be provided for members and representatives.