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How Do I Request Mediation?

To access MCRG services, please call 1-800-860-8347 or email MCRG@fsis.usda.gov. An ADR Specialist will get back to you promptly and confi dentially.MCRG can be contacted 24 hours a day/7 days a week. Every call is important and will be returned as soon as possible.The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is committed to equality of opportunity in employment. USDA prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, marital, parental or familial status, political beliefs, protected genetic information, equal pay, or protected EEO activity. Employees with concerns about unlawful discrimination should fi rst contact the Civil Rights Staff (CRS) at 1-800-269-6912. The caller will receive an offer of mediation through CRS’s Equal Employment Opportunity Complaint Process.

What Are Other Sources of Help?

Employee Assistance Program: 1-800-222-0364 1-888-262-7848 (TDD)Workplace Violence Prevention & ResponseProgram Hotline: 1-877-987-3747Employee Organizations/Associations:  National Joint Council of Food  Inspection Locals, AFGE (NJC)  National Association of Federal  Veterinarians (NAFV) Association of Technical and  Supervisory Professionals (ATSP)

MCRG Contact Information

CRS Director 800-269-6912 ADR Team Leader 800-860-8347Mediators  Washington, DC 202-205-4172  Minneapolis, MN 612-214-1076  Raleigh, NC 919-401-5897 919-208-9521

Customer Comments...

• “Good experience in collaboration and effective 

discussions!” 

• “We were 

fi nally able to talk!! I was very 

pleased with the results.” 

• “Allowed for a successful resolution foregoing 

the painful EEO process.” 

• “Thank you very much for the opportunity to 

express myself!” 

• “I applaud the Agency’s willingness to bring 

parties together in an attempt to resolve differences at the lowest possible level.” 

• “I felt I was able to sit down and speak openly 

in a professional manner without thinking of reprisal or retaliation.”

(2013)
Con

fl ict Prevention and 

Resolution

Confl ict prevention and resolution programs are administered by the Mediation & Confl ict Resolution Group (MCRG) and are designed to help all FSIS employees prevent and resolve workplace confl icts. The Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Program is an informal, fast and confi dential process to help employees resolve problems. ADR makes available a number of confl ict resolution alternatives to assist employees, supervisors and managers in resolving disputes. The MCRG provides prompt intervention 

services to all individuals along with an opportunity to enhance communication and improve workplace conditions. 

MCRG Services

EEO Mediation: ADR services may be offered in the EEO pre-complaint and formal complaint 

process. If an individual accepts the offer of ADR, management must participate in good faith. Mediation involves a neutral mediator and at least two participants in dispute with each other, as well as a resolving offi cial. Meetings occur in person or by telephone.Early Intervention (EI) Mediation: An EI includes at least one mediator and at least two participants in dispute with each other. Meetings occur in-person or by telephone. Management is required to participate when EI is requested and appropriate. EI is an informal, voluntary and confi dential process (usually non-EEO related issues) that uses mediation to help two or more parties come to a mutually agreeable resolution.Team Con

fl ict Resolution (TCR): TCR involves 

at least one mediator or facilitator and two or more participants. Attendance may be required but participation in the process is voluntary. Some of the outcomes of a TCR include assisting the group to address and prioritize key issues, set goals, make decisions, manage confl ict and build team cohesiveness. 

Con

fl ict Management Training: Group training 

using a mixture of lectures, discussions, exercises and role plays to effectively help groups and teams manage confl ict.Con

fl ict Coaching/Consultation: A partnership 

with employees on a one-on-one basis to help develop competencies to manage confl ict. The relationship can be established based on the need for assistance with a current confl ict or as a 

proactive measure for the future. Facilitation: A technique to help guide and direct discussions, meetings and decision-making processes, which allows groups to work more cooperatively and effectively.Conciliation: A technique that involves an 

impartial third party who shuttles back and forth between disputing parties and attempts to achieve a settlement of the dispute; typically, the participants do not meet face-to-face. Leadership Transition: A useful and proactive approach to help new leaders succeed in workplace transitions and become well synchronized and high performing teams.

Is Mediation Right For Me?

Confl ict is a normal part of life. However, it’s often an uncomfortable and diffi cult experience. Involving a neutral mediator helps employees explore new options for resolving their disputes. Mediation has advantages for everyone: • It’s fast! Focusing on problem solving, not  blame.  • It’s confi dential; the mediator keeps all  information private. • It allows participants an opportunity to resolve  their own problems.

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FSIS mediators years of experieworkplace dispopenly and franissues and reacFor more inform1-800-860-834