ABSTRACT
This study is focused on a sexual harassment case which took place in the workplace. It shows how conflict may involve more than those people directly involved. In this case it involves the person accused of harassment and a colleague who has become uncomfortable working with him. It emphasises the role of perceived and actual difference in conflict situations. In this case the mediator has to be aware of issues of sexism and racism. In the reflections on the mediation, our attention is drawn to the works of Vuchinich, Sgubini, Fanon, Rummel, Campbell, Graziano & Hair, and Zizek to explore the importance of ‘otherness’ in disputes. The reader is also introduced to Glasl’s theory of conflict escalation and the author offers an analysis of how this in demonstrated in this case.
