As a company physician, you regularly encounter situations in which workplace tensions play a role in absenteeism. Whether it is a conflict about reintegration, a tense relationship with the supervisor or a long-term labor conflict, mediation can be an effective solution. Yet it turns out that mediation is far from always used. How do you make this negotiable, both in the consulting room and with the employer?

Van Opstal & Partners does more than resolve conflicts. We help organizations create work environments that are safe, effective and purposeful.

To further strengthen this, we welcome Diederik Diercks as Director of Training & Coaching! Diederik will, in addition to his other work, support our clients in strengthening conflict skills, leadership and psychological safety.

In the Netherlands, the costs of work stress related absenteeism run as high as 3.1 billion euros per year. TNO indicates in its fact sheet that work stress is one of the biggest causes of absenteeism, particularly in sectors such as healthcare and education.

This interview with associate professor Sven Zebel discusses how basic human needs such as control and connection play a role in the willingness to engage in mediation.