SOWK 554 - Workplace Mediation

Prerequisite

SOWK 551 (Core Mediation) or equivalent course.

Description

Workplace mediation is an emerging specialty within the field of mediation. The high costs of workplace conflict are driving companies and regulatory agencies such as the EEOC to use mediation and other conflict resolution practices in the workplace. Building on theory and skills introduced in SOWK 551 this 8-week on-line course begins with an overview of workplace conflict and the costs involved for companies, application of mediation practice to the workplace environment, strategies to handle difficult workplace behavior, and a summary of informal and formal arbitration practices.

The course covers the process of planning workplace mediation within profit, non-profit, and governmental workplace settings and specifically addresses unique workplace mediation issues including civil rights, sexual harassment, and disability disputes. Special issues such as power and emotions along with cross-cultural and multi-party cases are also covered and the course concludes with a presentation of emerging concepts of appreciative inquiry and its application to workplace disputes.

This course can be applied towards:

• Mediation Certificate

Instructors

Holly Panetta
(970) 215-5974
holly.panetta@ymail.com

Holly Panetta is an attorney and mediator currently working as Director for the State of Colorado Office of Dispute Resolution. Prior to joining the State office, Ms. Panetta operated in private practice offering Mediation and Child and Family Investigation Services in northern Colorado. As a contract mediator through the state Office of Dispute Resolution, Ms. Panetta mediated more than 300 court-ordered cases per year. These cases included Domestic Relations, Parental Responsibilities, Child Support Enforcement and Dependency and Neglect. She also served as a court-appointed investigator for high conflict divorce and parental responsibility cases.

Prior to opening a solo practice, Ms. Panetta worked as a litigation associate for Henderson, Taylor & Rapp, a law firm in Greeley specializing in family and criminal law. She also served as a Family Court Facilitator in the Colorado Courts.

Ms. Panetta attended law school at the University of Denver and received her Juris Doctor in 2003. She also has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Colorado State University and is a candidate for a Master’s of Science in Human Development and Family Studies.

Deborah Valentine
(970) 491-6612
deborah.valentine@cahs.colostate.edu