The Case
The working relationship between a primary school headteacher and teaching assistant, which had been strained for several years, had finally broken down resulting in disciplinary action being taken against the teaching assistant for poor professional behaviour. The alleged behaviour included rudeness to the teaching assistant’s colleagues and senior managers and refusing to speak to the headteacher. An already difficult situation was compounded by procedural errors that had been made in the disciplinary process, leaving the employee feeling angry and alienated and threatening legal action, and the headteacher frustrated and at a loss to know how to progress the matter.
The Mediation
Edlex provided a skilled and experienced solicitor who was able to advise the headteacher of the legal and non-legal options open to the school and the relative risks of each. After some negotiation the headteacher and the teaching assistant agreed to enter into mediation, as a last resort, to try and repair the working relationship.
A highly skilled mediator was brought in to work intensively with the pair over the course of a working day, with the solicitor remaining on hand to provide support and advice if necessary. Both parties were shocked and surprised at the amount of progress they were able to make during the mediation process, to the point where the basis of their formerly very positive working relationship was resurrected.
Following the mediation both the headteacher and teaching assistant reported that they felt relieved and optimistic about their working relationship going forward.