Chicago, IL Employment Mediation

Chicago employment dispute mediation services

Mediators for Labor, Wage, and Contract Disputes in Illinois

In order for businesses and organizations to operate smoothly and effectively, employers, employees, contractors, and others involved in the labor process must be able to rely on each other to operate in good faith. Employment and labor relationships are governed by state and federal laws as well as organizational contracts. When any party feels that a law or contract has been violated, this can result in contentious, and often costly, disputes.

However, in many cases, these disputes can be resolved through mediation. The Chicago Bar Association Mediation Service can assist with various labor and employment disputes to help the involved parties reach an agreeable settlement. Our mediators are highly trained and skilled, and all of them have at least 10 years of legal experience, many in the areas of labor, contract, and employment law.

Benefits of Mediation in Illinois Employment Disputes

Employees who feel they have been wronged by their employers are often tempted to seek restitution through a lawsuit. However, employment litigation is often a long, drawn-out process, and it tends to be costly. Employees with limited resources may struggle to maintain a lawsuit, especially if they are up against a corporation with a dedicated legal team. Employment litigation can also be detrimental to employers, as high-profile legal cases can damage an employer's public reputation and require them to dedicate substantial resources to defending against an employee's claims.

Mediation introduces a neutral third party into the dispute resolution process. The mediator facilitates conversations between employees and employers, identifies the most important issues at hand, and helps the parties come together to resolve these issues without resorting to litigation. Mediation often helps to level the playing field, and it can be more cost-effective for both parties. Additionally, mediation allows for a broader range of solutions, rather than limiting the parties to remedies available in a lawsuit. Resolutions can result in financial compensation, policy changes, employee accommodations, and other outcomes that may better address the root of the problem.

Mediation for a Variety of Employment and Labor Disputes

Our mediators can help with many different kinds of labor and employment disputes, including but not limited to:

Wage and hour disputes - These include disputes related to full and timely payment of wages, overtime pay, tips, commission, and other forms of compensation. Some such disputes also involve the misclassification of an employee as an independent contractor, or vice versa.
Contract disputes - Mediation can resolve disputes over contracts for employees, temporary workers, freelancers, and other independent contractors. Common issues at hand include breach of contract terms, entitlement to benefits, and late payments for work performed. Mediators can also help with unique issues related to CEO and executive contracts.
Employee discrimination and harassment - Mediation can help employees and employers reach acceptable resolutions to claims of workplace harassment or discrimination based on sex and gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, and other protected categories, as well as claims of retaliation for reporting a violation or filing a complaint or claim against an employer.
Wrongful termination or discipline - Employees who believe they have been fired without cause or inappropriately disciplined may turn to mediation to reach a fair settlement with their employer that addresses their financial and professional hardship.
Employee rights violations - Mediation can help employers resolve claims of infringement on an employee's right to privacy, reasonable disability accommodations, or family or medical leave.
Labor disputes - Mediation can be a useful tool for resolving strikes and other disputes between labor and management, and it can assist both sides throughout the process of collective bargaining.

Find a Chicago, IL Employment and Labor Mediator

We encourage you to browse our list of qualified mediators to find a professional with employment mediation experience. If you are interested in more information about the CBA Mediation Service, or if you would like to start the process of scheduling mediation, contact us today at 312-554-2040. We provide mediation services throughout the Chicago area.