Facilitated Conversations

Title

Facilitated Conversations

Introduction

Purpose

Employee & Management Relations (E&MR) in the Office of Human Resources (OHR) provides this Facilitated Conversations Program to encourage supervisors and employees to work together to resolve their differences. The University values open and respectful communication among supervisors and employees, and through this program the University provides a venue for parties to talk freely and openly about their needs, interests, opinions, and point of view while addressing mutual concerns.

Scope of Applicability

The Facilitated Conversations Program is available to all university employees for addressing workplace issues.

Procedure

• If an employee requests a facilitated conversation, then all parties involved must agree to participate in order for the facilitated conversation to occur.
• If a supervisor requests a facilitated conversation for one or more employees (with or without the presence of management), the employees are required to participate.

The requesting party must submit a completed Facilitated Conversation Request Form to E&MR indicating the nature of the issue and the parties involved. E&MR will contact the parties. If the request is accepted (if applicable), then E&MR will assign facilitator(s) and schedule a time and location for the meeting, generally within two weeks of the request. Some facilitation may require more than one meeting.

Upon request, E&MR will provide a summary of the facilitation to the parties involved.

Exceptions

None.

Definitions

• Facilitated Conversation - A facilitated conversation is a structured conversation with two or more university employees, managers, or both, designed to help parties find acceptable solutions regarding a communication or work issue. E&MR assigns trained University employees for all facilitated conversations.

Additional Campus Programs

• The University Ombuds Office provides its own mediation and conflict resolution program.
• OHR’s Organization & Professional Development unit works with campus managers to provide coaching and organization development programs for University organizational groups.
• The Employee Assistance Program provides confidential consultation for both work-related and non-work issues.

Related Requirements

External Regulations and Consequences

• UNC System Office, SHRA Employee Grievance Policy
• NC Office of State Human Resources, Employee Grievance Policy

University Policies, Standards, and Procedures

• UNC-Chapel Hill Dispute Resolution & Grievances

Contact Information

Primary Contact

Employee & Management Relations
Office of Human Resources, UNC-Chapel Hill
Phone: 919-843-3444
Fax: 919-962-8658
Email: emr@unc.edu
Website