Effective ADR programs require significant resources for on-going training, mentoring and infrastructure, as well as to educate potential users. They require senior-executive support. They require adequate manpower. They require autonomy, so that they have necessary authority and don't appear to be a mere after-thought. Unfortunately, most agencies are not willing to make such a commitment.
Organizations typically try to find cheap ways to get rid of disputes.
Using in-house mediators appears to be one such quick fix. Without the budgetary and executive support it requires, in-house mediation will fall short of expectations. Without adequate support, they cannot fulfill their mediation responsibilities. A classic example of the perils in dual-duty situations can be found in EEO settings. All too often an organization provides counselors with mediation training, then asks them to mediate cases in which they are assigned as counselors.