Cases

To give you an impression of the wide variety of cases in the design industry that lend themselves for mediation, a number of practical examples follow. In case you are wondering whether your situation can benefit from mediation, please contact Peter Boelsma or Marcel Speller for a free consultation.

Collaboration between partners/share holders
Five managers of an agency, who are also the company’s share holders, experience a difference of opinion on the way the tasks and responsibilities have been divided and everyone’s contribution in terms of turn-over and results. A solution has to be found that is acceptable to everyone involved and which does not jeopardize the future of the company.    

Departure of partner/share holder
One of the partners/share holders of an agency has expressed the wish to leave the agency in the near future. Internally it has proven impossible to agree on the terms and conditions for the partner to leave and the value of his share of the company. There is a risk this will escalate into a conflict.

Collaborating partners
Two designers who have successfully worked together since college, develop a difference of opinion on the course for their future. It threatens to be the end of the collaboration with all due consequences. They cannot work it out amongst themselves and both opt for a solution through mediation.

Relation between management and employee
A senior designer who has been employed by an agency for a long time and who is responsible for the projects of large clients, feels his position is threatened by the attitude of one of the managers and cannot function adequately anymore. The designer wishes to leave the agency, whereby a construction needs to be found that is acceptable to both parties.

Sick employee
An employee of a design agency has been on sick leave for a considerable time. It has given rise to a discussion on the functioning of the designer and whether he is still able to deliver the desired quality. The designer feels victimised by a re-organisation that has increased the demand on the employees. Employer and employee hold each other responsible for the situation.

Relationship between employees
In an agency of approximately 30 employees two senior designers have a long running conflict, which has a negative influence on the agency’s atmosphere and threatens projects of important clients. Both designers are prepared to solve the conflict through mediation.

Difference of opinion on added costs
A client refuses to pay the added costs that are charged after completion of an assignment. The agency however insists that these added costs have been announced on time. Both parties decide to maintain their relationship, but want to solve the conflict first.

Quality of work delivered
An agency accuses a printing supplier of delivering a product of a poor quality. Because the agency acts as commissioner for the printer, it is responsible for the final product as well as the financial handling. Because both the agency and the supplier value a good relationship with the client whose prints are at stake, they have to find a solution.