17 October 2008

Statement for launch-Early Dispute Resolution (EDR) Initiative

On 20 June 2008, the University Court approved a Strategy to address an early dispute resolution initiative within the University Community for both staff and students.

The Strategy Document was developed and put forward by an Early Dispute Resolution Group established within the University comprising representatives of academics, support staff, campus trade unions, management and students. It includes a number of objectives including finding ways to:

• resolve disputes at an early stage and reach more satisfactory outcomes
• disseminate best practice in a modern and diverse workplace
• minimise the cost involved in disputes
• set in place mediation skills and training facilities
• train and develop a credible, professional and high quality mediation facility at the University
• enhance management skills by using an innovative approach across the range of disciplines and staff categories in the University.

The Group will be working over the next year to raise awareness of its activities and initiatives and the availability of the EDR option for dispute resolution. In the first instance this will be available to staff.

Further information and a link of contacts can be obtained from www.dundee.ac.uk/academic/.

or contact Fiona O’Donnell, Academic Affairs, if you would like to find out more about the mediation facility currently available.

This statement jointly on behalf of the University and the Campus Unions launches the EDR Initiative:
The University, as an institution of higher education, is foremost a community that encourages collegiality, trustworthiness and collaboration from, and to all, of its constituent members.

The launch today of the Early Dispute Resolution Initiative, is designed to enhance and improve all spheres of learning, teaching, research and service. We will work together to develop this initiative over the next few years.

It stresses our individual as well as our institutional responsibilities. It is designed to embody the principles of fairness, equality, diversity and accessibility and to maximise benefit and minimise costs. It is also designed ultimately, to serve the community at large, by providing staff and students with collaborative skills and a sense of personal responsibility for benefit locally, nationally and internationally.

For media enquiries contact:
Anna Day
Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: a.c.day@dundee.ac.uk