MWI In-Person Mediation Policies and Procedures
A public health emergency has been declared in the United States due to the spread of COVID-19. Guidance from public health officials suggests that one of the most effective ways to protect against the spread of this disease is to limit exposure, particularly to persons at higher risk of developing serious COVID-19 illnesses due to age or underlying health issues.
MWI has determined that the safest and most cost-effective forum to conduct a mediation is online and we ask all parties agree to conduct their mediations online until this public health emergency ends. Should all or some of the parties elect to hold the mediation in-person, the parties agree to adhere to the following protocols that are designed to minimize risk of COVID-19 infection to the participants and the mediator(s).
Mediation participants MUST participate remotely if:
- S/he has experienced a fever or cold or flu symptoms within 14 days of the mediation.
- S/he has traveled internationally within 14 days of the mediation.
- S/he has had contact within 14 days of the mediation with anyone who has COVID-19, or is under quarantine or self-quarantine; or
- S/he has any other reason to believe that in-person participation during the mediation could expose other participants to a threat of infection.
Should any party, representative, or other mediation participant meet any part of the criteria above, any such individuals may participate in the mediation remotely (via Zoom). Each decision maker in a mediation is responsible for determining whether they or any other parties or representatives accompanying them at the mediation meet the criteria above and alert MWI of such information. Please contact your case manager for details on how to participate in the mediation remotely.
Should the mediation move forward in-person, the participants and the mediator(s) agree to observe the following protocols MWI has implemented to ensure the safety of our clients, neutrals, and staff while in our offices:
- Take and share the results of a PCR or rapid antigen test within 24 hours of the mediation
- Face coverings are required by all persons at all times, although our “quick sip” policy allows people to take off their masks for very short periods of time while eating or drinking.
- Refrain from congregating in common areas.
- Sanitize hands before entering a conference room.
- Stagger your movement in and out of conference rooms to avoid congestion in the doorways.
- Avoid shaking hands and other physical contact.
- Maintain six feet of distance from non‐household members in conference rooms.
- Room capacity (including restrooms), when noted, must not be exceeded.
- Arrive prepared with all documentation you will need for your event. Staff will not be available to provide copy, phone or other computer services.
- Individually wrapped lunches will be provided for full-day mediations. Single serving snacks will also be available.
In addition, our office will provide enhanced cleaning throughout our offices prior to and after in-person meetings.
Our staff and panel members have been directed to monitor the use of face coverings and social distancing for the comfort and security of our clients. Please do your part to fulfill these protocols. If an MWI staff or panel member reminds you or any member of your team to comply with these guidelines, we ask that you do so without hesitation.
We will also continue to monitor our building management protocols created to provide a safer facility, including regular disinfecting of common areas, limiting elevator capacity, proper ventilation, and increased air circulation.
We look forward to working with you. Please do not hesitate to contact your case manager or a member of our office staff with any questions or concerns. We thank you very much for your diligence and cooperation so that we may continue to offer in-person meeting options at MWI.
For more information, please contact Chuck Doran, Executive Director, at cdoran@mwi.org or 617-895-4026 or another staff member here.
