Workplace Law & Mediation
Ruth Szabo, LL.B; LL.M.
A conflict resolution professional, I work with employers and individuals who want durable solutions to employee grievances. I combine a legal background with my extensive experience in multicultural corporate environments advising on employment relationships, particularly in the area of bullying, sexual harassment, and discrimination.
Working closely with my clients, I provide consulting or advisory work, fact-finding investigations, or mediation services. I support clients to achieve cost effective, early resolution to workplace disputes to avoid costly litigation and further harmful psychological impact on the individual(s) concerned.
Activities
Legal and strategic adviser on compliance with corporate policies and employee claims
Investigator of workplace bullying, sexual harassment, discrimination, and other claims of workplace misconduct
Trainer/coach on the management and investigation of work conflicts
Mediator of workplace disputes
Experience
In-house legal adviser at the United Nations (New York), World Health Organization and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Geneva)
London based public interest organisation/staff lawyer
London based law firm/solicitor
Qualifications
Lawyer, LL.B; UK qualified solicitor with an LL.M in International Law; University of London
Workplace Mediator accredited by the International Mediation Institute, CiARB trained, and ILM endorsed by the City and Guilds of London Institute.
Sample of clients
Centre for Excellence in Finance, Slovenia | Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centres, France | European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, United Kingdom | European Council for Nuclear Research, France & Switzerland | Global Fund to Fight Aids, TB and Malaria, Switzerland | Global Innovation Fund, United Kingdom | International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Society, Switzerland | Inter-Parliamentary Union, Switzerland | Joint Vienna Institute, Austria | North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Belgium | Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, France | South Centre, Switzerland | World Health Organization, Switzerland | World Organization for Animal Health, France | World Trade Organization, Switzerland | UBS Bank, Switzerland | United Nations, New York & Switzerland
What I do
Mediation
Conflicts are an inevitable part of the working environment, but if not addressed may escalate and affect employee productivity, at a significant cost to the employee’s health and the employer’s business. The best outcome for all concerned is early resolution. I mediate employee disputes to bring about long-term resolution and prevent conflicts from escalating into costly litigation.
Investigations
Employees are increasingly speaking up against workplace harassment and other inappropriate behaviours. Organisations need to play their part in ensuring a safe and secure working environment and take action by, as a first step, investigating. I conduct internal investigations into complaints alleging all forms of harassment and discrimination. I do so with sensitivity to all those involved, ensuring due legal process.
Strategic advice/corporate policies
Workplace policies set the framework to guide ethical behaviour and performance expectations. Clear and consistently applied policies help to create a positive organisational culture. I advise on compliance with workplace policies, and I review HR strategies and internal structures to identify gaps and develop HR policies.
Training
Codes of ethics and other conduct related polices have little impact if they are not reinforced by training. I design and deliver practical, customized case-study-based training programmes focused on managing workplace conflicts and handling harassment complaints.