What is conflict management?

• Conflict management is a process to proactively manage conflict to reduce the incidence of disputes and to increase the likelihood that any disputes will be resolved efficiently, effectively and expeditiously.

What is ADR?

• ADR stands for Alternative Dispute Resolution. It is an informal method of addressing disputes that is an alternative to traditional, formal methods of dispute, such as litigation or grievances.
• Unlike traditional formal methods of handling disputes, ADR focuses on win-win solutions and problem-solving with the assistance of a neutral third party.
• ADR includes a variety of different processes, including mediation and group facilitation.

What is the difference?

• Conflict management is a broader concept. “ADR” is traditionally an alternative to exercising a legal right; CEDR’s conflict management can help people address conflicts for which there are no available legal remedies.

Can you require the other party to enter mediation?

• The mediation process is voluntary; all sides must agree to participate.

Who would mediate, facilitate, or serve as a conflict coach?

• It depends on the situation. The people providing CEDR services need to be well-trained in their roles and impartial with regard to the particular conflict and its participants. They may be DoDEA employees, other government employees, or people from outside government; what’s important is that they be good at what they do and that the parties are comfortable that they will be fair.

Where do I go if I have an EEO complaint?

• DoDEA’s Diversity Management and Equal Opportunity Office handles EEO complaints and EEO mediation. You may find more information about DMEO and filing or mediating EEO complaints at the following website: www.dodea.edu/Offices/DMEO/

How do I contact CEDR to see if it can help me?

• See contacts