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To mediate a Postal Service dispute, applicants must be on the REDRESS National Roster. To be listed on the Roster, applicants must complete the following three steps (A-C). Completion of these requirements guarantees only listing on the Roster, not selection.
A. ADR Provider Survey
- Applicants must first complete and submit an ADR Provider Survey. Each survey will be reviewed and screened to determine if the applicant meets the Minimum Criteria for Mediating Postal Service™ Cases:
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Mediation of at least 10 cases as lead or co-mediator and |
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Completion of a 3-day mediation course (minimum of 24 hours) that includes extensive role playing. |
- Waiver Policy
Waivers may be given to applicants on a limited basis at the sole discretion of the Postal Service. Waivers will be given to applicants who do not meet the minimum criteria only if there is a substantial need to supplement the current pool. If such a need is determined to exist, the Postal Service may request that the applicant submit additional documentation showing why a waiver of the minimum criteria should be granted.
Applicants who fail to meet the Minimum Criteria and are not granted a waiver are disqualified from mediating REDRESS disputes.
B. Mandatory Training
- All applicants are required to attend a two-day Postal Service advanced mediation skills training course (no exceptions), provided at no cost to the applicant.
- Applicants must attend the entire two-day course, including the evening session on the first day.
- At the end of this course, applicants will be certified as having completed the mandatory training.
C. Mediation of One Pro Bono Case
- After the mandatory training, all applicants must mediate one case for the Postal Service on a pro bono basis.
- Each applicant will be evaluated during the pro bono mediation by an EEO professional. This evaluation will be used to determine if the applicant will be listed on the REDRESS National Roster.
Selecting Mediators from the Roster
Factors for Selection
The selection of mediators will be done locally and may be based on one or more of the following factors:
- Workflow---the number of requests for mediation in a given district.
- Mediator’s schedule/availability----Postal Service REDRESS mediations are scheduled “on the clock” during the employee’s work hours or “tour of duty.” There are three tours in a 24-hour period: Tour 1---10:30 pm-6:00 am; Tour 2---6:00 am – 3:00 pm; Tour 3---3:00 pm – 11:00 pm. Mediators should be aware that they may be asked to mediate a case on any of these tours of duty.
- Pro bono case evaluation.
- Special circumstances of a case.
- Special requests or needs of the parties.
Former USPS Employees
One of the key elements of the REDRESS program is the use of neutrals who are not Postal Service employees. The parties’ perception of the mediator’s neutrality is crucial to the success of the program.
Mediating REDRESS Cases
A. Standards of Practice
Once selected, a mediator must abide by the Postal Service Standards of Practice for Postal Service Mediations, which will be provided to each mediator upon selection from the Roster.
B. Professional Liability
A mediator is an independent contractor for the Postal Service and as such is responsible for his or her actions related to the mediation. Every mediator is encouraged to investigate and purchase liability insurance.
C. Disqualification
An individual mediator and/or organization may be disqualified from mediating for the Postal Service at any time for the following reasons:
- Currently serves as an arbitrator on any Postal Service arbitration panel.
- Accepts career, contract, temporary or casual employment with the Postal Service.
- Represents, or has represented in the last two years, in any capacity, any party in any legal proceeding against the Postal Service.
- Plans to appear as a witness, or has appeared within the last two years in any EEO dispute against the Postal Service.
- Misrepresents personal qualifications or background.
- Fails to comply with REDRESS program requirements, procedures, and/or Postal Service Standards of Practice for Postal Service Mediations
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