REDRESS History  
Learn about the history of REDRESS mediation.
The REDRESS® program was born out of the settlement of a class action lawsuit filed by employees in the Northern District of Florida. Among their complaints was that the Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) complaint process was too slow, remote, and ineffective in addressing workplace disputes. After reviewing the alternatives, all parties agreed that the development of a workplace mediation program might be an effective way to address these concerns. Thus, REDRESS mediation began as a pilot program in 1994 with three Florida sites. As the result of a commitment from management, employees, and their representatives, it continued to grow bigger and better. Today it is available to all Postal employees nationwide.

REDRESS mediation is a voluntary alternative dispute resolution program offered to employees as part of the Postal Service’s EEO complaint process.

The REDRESS program uses mediation. The parties meet with an independent impartial neutral third-party from outside the Postal Service™ who assists them in discussing and resolving their disputes. The REDRESS program uses the transformative model of mediation, which strives to change the on-going interaction between the parties in a positive direction.

REDRESS mediations operate differently than most mediations directed by courts as the parties are strongly encouraged to play a more active role than the mediator or the parties' representatives. Unique characteristics of REDRESS mediations include:

• Open discussion of issues among the parties themselves.

Parties tend to speak to each other and for themselves, rather than through their representatives.

• Determination by the parties—not the mediator--as to what issues to discuss.

The parties may choose to talk about problems that extend beyond the particular issue that prompted the employee to contact the EEO office.

• Parties control the process.

The parties may establish their own ground rules and may make opening statements on their own behalf.

• Determination by the parties—not the mediator—as to whether and how to resolve the dispute.

The mediator facilitates communication between the parties and assists them in making their own decisions.