Managers can avoid costly and time-consuming employment tribunals by bringing mediation to the workplace, one legal expert has stated.

Eilidh Wiseman, head of employment law at Dundas and Wilson (D&W) has urged team leaders and managers to consider mediation during the early stages of a workplace dispute rather than allowing things to get resolved at a tribunal.

Her comments follow a survey of 136 HR professionals conducted by the firm which found that just 36% of companies have used mediation to help diffuse difficult situations in the office.

"HR professionals clearly value flexibility and, for mediation to continue to offer full advantage, that level of choice should extend to the mediation marketplace," she said.

The survey also revealed that those who did enter into arbitration found many benefits, in particular the flexibility of the process.

The findings come after the government announced plans to expand the conciliation capacity of Acas, the dispute resolution service, with a £37m funding injection.