Learning & events
Webinar recording | Managing power imbalance in the workplace dispute resolution context
with Dr Samantha Hardy, Jon Everest and Ainsley Benefield
pre-recorded | Online
Managing power imbalance in the workplace dispute resolution context
In this the third in a series of webinars on managing power imbalance, we look specifically at the workplace dispute resolution context.
We have three highly experienced dispute resolution professionals on our trans-Tasman panel:
Dr Samantha Hardy bringing a perspective from coaching and training in conflict management and resolution. She practises primarily in the workplace context and in the university sector;
Jon Everest, a mediator and restorative practitioner brings a perspective of managing power when working to create organisational change; and
Ainsley Benefield unpacks the differing perspectives from the three roles in which she works: mediator, workplace investigator and HR consultant.
The webinar sets out to explore the below questions and more:
- What do we mean by ‘power’? Is power imbalance necessarily a bad thing?
- What are our roles and responsibilities in dispute resolution processes in relation to managing power?
- For what purpose are we using our power to alter the power landscape?
- What are the pros and cons of altering the power dynamic?
- How might we manage or view power differently depending on the context e.g. a mediation? A workplace investigation? A restorative approach in an organisational context?
- What strategies or processes are available to manage power imbalance?
- How might we prepare parties prior to them meeting to manage power (their own power or others’ power)?
About the speakers
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Dr Samantha Hardy Sam has been accredited as a mediator under the Australian National Mediation System and is a Certified Transformative Mediator by the US Institute of Conflict Transformation. She is a Certified Narrative Coach Practitioner, an experienced conflict coach and the founder of the REAL Conflict Coaching System. She holds a PhD in Law and Conflict Resolution, as well as other postgraduate qualifications in education. Sam is also a well known university educator, holding adjunct professorial appointments in Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong and the USA. Sam has also published widely in conflict resolution, including her books:
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Jon Everest Jon is an independent restorative practitioner, mediator, and professional supervisor. Until recently he was Senior Consultant, Practice Development at the Diana Unwin Chair of Restorative Justice at Victoria University of Wellington. He is a Fellow of the Resolution Institute, an advanced accredited mediator, family dispute resolution provider and restorative justice facilitator, with endorsements for working with family violence and sexual offending. Jon’s first career was as a Police Inspector in the Royal Hong Kong Police before completing his Masters in the area of crime and violence, and further studies and training in dispute resolution. |
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Ainsley Benefield Ainsley runs an HR consultancy, Hive, that provides a range of HR services, as well as independent facilitations, mediations and investigations/reviews. She spent much of her career working as an employment lawyer in Wellington, Dublin, and London, including time as an in-house lawyer at a global company going through a significant period of HR issues and transformation. When returning to New Zealand, she decided she no longer wanted to be an ambulance at the bottom of the cliff and so chose to work in more hands on HR roles and trained as a mediator and independent investigator. Ainsley has a particular interest in applying restorative practice within workplaces and working with clients to explore opportunities for early resolution of employment relationship problems. |