THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE WORKPLACE RELATIONS COMMISSION MEDIATION SERVICE IN IRELAND

Abstract

The following document seeks to describe and evaluate the effectiveness of the mediation service offered by the independent body in Ireland, known as Workplace relations commission (WRC). This was performed considering the established legislation that gives structure to the body and it´s service, as well as the relevant literature in the matter, reports from the WRC and a conceptualization of “effectiveness”. Utilizing a mixed methodology, compressed by a survey containing both open and close-end questions, we collected and analysed data regarding the purported level of effectiveness of the mediation service, according to key players whom by the nature of their occupation, have experience in the aforementioned. The gathered views of participants contrasted with the literature, lead to conclude that the WRC mediation service is seldomly used and that there is a preference for other ADR methods.