By Farley Tolpen, CEO.  I mediated a matter between two employees who worked in the same department for a medium sized company. Mutual cooperation was necessary for their positions and the company’s success. Unfortunately, there was a complete lack of communication and a high level of conflict between them with accusations of fraud, harassment and the like. The employer contacted me and said that mediation was the last straw. If the parties did not resolve the differences between them, then one or both would be fired. I had a 45 minute premediation telephone session with each and there was a 4 hour mediation. Both parties wanted to resolve the matter and did not want to lose their jobs. We spent around 3 hours of the mediation discussing communication and the reasons for the lack of trust and communication. After many private sessions and conferences, the parties were able to reach a mutual resolution and agreed to open the lines of communication. They were able to acknowledge their part of the lack of communication and misunderstandings, frustration and anger. I was happy to report to the employer that there was full resolution. As of today’s date, the parties are working together without conflict. It was a pleasure to assist the parties with communication and resolution.