Workplace disputes
Resolve it before it escalates.
Most workplace conflicts don't need HR investigations or employment lawyers — they need a structured, neutral space where both people can actually be heard. Common Ground helps coworkers, managers, contractors, and clients reach a written understanding before things harden.
Who this is for
- Two coworkers stuck in a recurring conflict
- Manager and direct report who need to reset working terms
- Freelancers and clients in a contract or invoice dispute
- Business partners working through role or compensation friction
Common issues we help resolve
Communication breakdowns
Tone, response times, meeting behavior — the soft stuff that quietly destroys productivity if it isn't named.
Scope and workload disputes
Who owns what, what's in or out of scope, and what happens when the work changes mid-project.
Unpaid invoices or deliverables
Walk through what was promised, what was delivered, and what a fair resolution looks like in writing.
Exit and transition terms
When one party is leaving the role, the project, or the partnership — agree on the handover in advance.
How it works for this kind of dispute
- 01
Open a case privately
Choose the civil workflow, describe the situation, and invite the other party with a secure link. Nothing is visible to anyone else.
- 02
Both sides share — guided
Each side answers structured prompts about facts, impact, and desired outcomes. AI reframing keeps the language professional.
- 03
Negotiate the terms
Trade specific proposals — communication norms, scope changes, payment terms, exit plans. Bring in a mediator if you get stuck.
- 04
Sign a written understanding
Download a signed agreement both sides can reference if questions come up later. Share with HR or counsel only if you choose to.
Why Common Ground for this
Stays off the record
No HR ticket, no public complaint. The conversation is between the two of you unless you decide otherwise.
Built for asymmetric power
Structured prompts and AI reframing reduce the advantage of whoever is louder, more senior, or more practiced at conflict.
Cheaper than employment counsel
$49 to open a case — versus thousands in legal review before anyone has even talked.
Faster than internal processes
Most cases resolve in about a week. HR investigations and contract disputes typically take months.
Frequently asked
- Can we use mediation instead of going to HR? +
- Yes, with both parties' consent. Many workplace disputes — disagreements between peers, manager-report friction, contractor disputes — never need to escalate to a formal HR process if both sides are willing to talk through a structured channel first.
- Is the conversation confidential from my employer? +
- The platform is private between the two participants by default. Whether you choose to share the outcome with your employer is up to you. Common Ground does not contact your company.
- What if this involves harassment or discrimination? +
- Mediation is not appropriate for harassment, discrimination, or safety issues — those belong with HR, legal counsel, or the appropriate regulatory body. The platform's safety screening will flag cases that should not be mediated.
- Can a freelancer and a client use this for a contract dispute? +
- Absolutely. Scope disagreements, unpaid invoices, IP ownership questions, and contract terminations are a common fit. The written agreement can be used to amend or close out the contract.
A workplace fix that doesn't blow up the relationship.
Common Ground is a mediation platform, not a law firm, and does not provide legal advice.