Employment dispute resolution systems: Experience grows but some questions persist

Brown & Root, a large private construction firm, has designed and implemented a dispute resolution system (DRS) that emphasizes early, informal handling of disputes. This article traces the development, implementation, and accomplishments of the system thus far: The author also describes the most controversial aspect of the system — a pre-dispute agreement to mandatory arbitration as a condition of employment.John W. Zinsser is cofounder and managing partner of Pacifica Human Communications, a private intercultural and conflict communications consulting firm based at 269 Klotter Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 45219.