The EEOC Mediation Program : Mediators' Perspective on the Parties, Processes, and Outcomes

This report presents mediator feedback on the dynamics of the mediation process, including the participant (charging party, respondent, mediator) conduct that facilitates resolution of the dispute1, why the dispute was not resolved, mediator tactics, behavior that acts as a barrier to a resolution, the role of legal counsel and other representatives, and the turning point(s) in a successful mediation. Mediator evaluations of the skills of the parties' legal and non-legal representatives are also highlighted in the report. The report also focuses on mediator suggestions regarding process improvements. The report ends with sections on "conclusions" and "implications" which discuss the conclusions of this research endeavor and their implications.The content of this report is the presentation of the results of 2062 mediator surveys, the overwhelming majority of which provide rich and descriptive qualitative data. It is unique because it reports the feedback from mediators, who have been given wide latitude in a largely open-ended survey to discuss their opinions and thoughts on the conduct of the parties