Sarah Podro, London Senior Adviser and Collective Conciliator from the UK’s Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS), speaks to Owen, Isabel and Richard about the importance of Early Dispute Resolution.

Sarah shares her expertise on the world of resolving conflict at work from the government department in charge of Early Dispute Resolution in the UK.

Timestamps

00.23 - 03.06: Owen and Isabel introduce Sarah, the topic, and why it is of interest to Rising Edge.

03.11 - 05.02: Sarah explains the kinds of disputes she gets involved in as a collective conciliator, and people's awareness of unions and pay disputes.

05.02 - 08.31: Isabel asks Sarah to share how she prepares when entering a dispute and the differences between conciliation and mediation.

08.31 - 12.48: Sarah explains the role of the conciliator, and how the process plays out in practice.

12.48 - : 15.24: Sarah discusses the difference between collective conciliations and individual conciliations.

15.24 - 17.47: Isabel asks Sarah what a party to conciliation needs to do to get the most out of the process.

17.47 - 21.00: Owen and Isabel quiz Sarah on how maintains neutrality when conciliating pay disputes.

21.00 - 25.15: Sarah explains why a dispute may be deadlocked and how it can be unlocked.

25.15 - 28.51: Isabel asks Sarah what can push a conciliation off track.

28.51 - 29.47: Sarah explains how often she gets involved after a first failed conciliation.

29.47 - 33.19: Isabel and Sarah discuss the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the conciliation process.

33.19 - 34.38: Sarah gives her perspective on the trends she is observing in collective conciliation.

34.38 - 36.10: Sarah tells us the best and most challenging parts of being a conciliator at ACAS.

36.10 - End: Owen and Isabel share their key takeaways from the discussion with Sarah.

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