Conflict arises at work every day—performance disputes, communication failures, personality clashes—and too often, HR is expected to handle everything. However, not every conflict involves HR, and not every issue calls for an investigation or disciplinary action. Mediation is the missing strategic tool that allows HR to shift from being a "fixer” to a "facilitator,” empowering employees to resolve conflicts collaboratively, reducing HR burnout, and strengthening workplace relationships.

In this dynamic, highly interactive one-hour session, HR professionals will discover how to use mediation as a preventative, practical, and compliance-oriented approach to resolving everyday conflict. Sharon redefines mediation not as a formal, legalistic process, but as an immediately applicable HR superpower—a skill that de-escalates tension, identifies root issues, and promotes accountability among employees.

Participants will leave with a practical mediation mindset, a simple 10-Minute Mediation Map™, and tools to identify when HR should step in, when mediation is appropriate, and when the issue falls outside HR’s scope.

SHRM/HRCI Learning Objectives:

1. Recognize which conflicts HR should solve—and which should be mediated instead.

2. Apply a simple, structured mediation method to de-escalate employee disputes.

3. Use “third-ear” listening skills to uncover hidden interests beneath surface complaints.

Speaker:

Speaker Bio:

Sharon E. Harrington, MA, CPTD, is the founder of Amediate, LLC and a nationally recognized expert in EEO investigations, conflict resolution, and inclusive leadership development. With nearly 30 years of experience in federal and private-sector workplace conflict, Sharon trains hundreds of HR professionals annually through her signature MD-110 EEO Investigator Certification program. She has served for many years as a presenter with the EEOC Technical Assistance Program Series, and her work focuses on empowering HR leaders with practical tools to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics and strengthen organizational trust and civility.

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Meeting Agenda:

11:30am - Doors open for Lunch and Networking

11:40am - Chapter Announcements

11:50am - Sponsor Announcement

12:00pm - Presentation

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Thank you to our sponsor!