Holly rewarded for setting up network
30 Sep 2014 08:22
A Bolton businesswoman has scooped an award for her efforts in setting up a new mediation service for small firms in Greater Manchester.
Holly Bonfield, who is the Regional Vice Chair for the Federation of Small Businesses in Greater Manchester, was instrumental in setting up Manchester Mediation Network (MMN) which launched earlier this year.
The group works with businesses to help resolve workplace disputes before a tribunal situation arises.
Holly's work has now been recognised by the UK's Professional Mediators' Association (PMA), who presented her with an award at the group’s annual awards ceremony in London.
Holly, pictured with her award, said: "This award recognises the hard work of not just myself, but many other people who came together to help create MMN.
"It's not easy getting the message through that mediation can be a useful tool for resolving workplace conflict, in part because existing grievance procedures are so ingrained in HR culture.
"Mediation gives people a chance to be heard on both sides and results in a win-win situation.
"On the other hand, most grievance complaints quite often lead to the right outcome for just one party, meaning essentially the issue is never properly sorted.
"Our job is to convince small businesses out there that mediation can offer an alternative, she added.
Although the number of tribunals has dropped dramatically since the Government introduced new legislation to reduce the number of vexatious claims against employers, tribunals can cripple smaller firms who also lack the time and skills to successfully defend an allegation in court.
FSB members from the Greater Manchester and North Cheshire region can access the services of MMN for free.
You may be interested in