Alternate Dispute Resolution provides supervisors with problem-solving tool kit

  • Published
  • By Elizabeth Clinch
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio – The 88th Air Base Wing Equal Opportunity Office hosted an Alternative Dispute Resolution Symposium Aug. 7 - 10 at the Wright Patterson Air Force Base Club.

Highlights of the event included a Supervisor Awareness Course, taught by Kimberly Mlinaz, the Director of the Air Force Alternative Dispute Resolution Program and Associate General Counsel for Contractor Responsibility and Conflict Resolution, and a Basic Mediation Course taught by Paul Firman, the Chief of Alternative Dispute Resolution Education & Training at the Air Force Negotiation Center, Maxwell AFB, Alabama.

“This event, part of an Air Force-wide revitalization effort which aims to have supervisors look at problems from a different perspective, is a forum for first-level supervisors to get together and discuss underlying issues and strategies to get their workforce reengaged in the Air Force Mission,” said Mlinaz.

The Supervisor Awareness Course equipped supervisors with a basic understanding of how unresolved workplace conflict hinders productivity, and how dispute resolution techniques act as a problem-solving tool kit.

The Basic Mediation Course taught Airmen eligible to serve as a collateral-duty neutral for Air Force disputes the basics of mediation and facilitation of workplace disputes, including EEO complaints, employee grievances, labor-management negotiations, and unfair labor practice.

“Alternative Dispute Resolution is a tool used in everyday activity,” said Stephanie Lee, equal opportunity director.

All attendees received access to need-based online training following the event, which they can access at any time if they need further guidance on alternative dispute resolution practices.

The EO office works with commanders, directors and first sergeants regarding the importance of their roles in the EO program, which is to help promote a proactive approach in establishing and creating an inclusive work environment for our Airmen.

For more information on alternative dispute resolution or services offered by the Equal Opportunity Office, contact the Equal Opportunity office at 937-257-2789 or visit them in Area A, Building 70.