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Workplace Conflict
Workplace conflict undermines productivity and worker morale. Working in an environment with unresolved conflict can decrease worker satisfaction, damage relationships, and increase stress and burnout. This can lead to an increase in your turnover rates, as workers seek to leave this environment.
It is important to have a program or policy in place to manage workplace conflict to address these concerns.
To promote a healthy and productive workplace, it is important to manage workplace conflict early, quickly and effectively. When dealing with workplace conflict, the following steps should be followed:
1. Identify the conflict early:
- Look for early warning signs (e.g., a change in behaviour or communication).
- Do not wait for the conflict to escalate.
- Addressing issues early prevents them from becoming entrenched.
2. Engage in an open discussion about the conflict:
- Discuss in a neutral, private setting.
- Use active listening and focus on what participants are saying.
- Ask clarifying questions to fill in details.
- Avoid taking sides - focus on understanding, not judging.
3. Identify the cause of the conflict:
- Focus on the cause of the conflict, not the personalities involved.
- Conflicts are often caused by miscommunication, misunderstandings or differences in work styles.
- Understanding the root cause helps to prevent recurrences.
4. Collaborate on solutions:
- Involve the relevant parties in the development of solutions.
- Evaluate the feasibility of possible solutions.
- Try to achieve win-win outcomes where possible.
5. Implement solutions:
- Agree on concrete changes in behaviours or processes.
- Document what was agreed upon.
- Clarify roles and communicate expectations to involved parties, and ensure their understanding.
6. Follow up on solution:
- Schedule a follow-up to assess the solution.
- Reinforce positive changes.
- Adjust solution if needed.
Hiring Youth
Some youth are working in their first career position and may not be aware of the norms and rules. Ensure that youth are made aware of workplace expectations, and the reasons for these expectations, early in their employment.
Hiring Newcomers
Differing communication styles across different cultures can lead to misunderstandings. When addressing conflicts, it is important to be aware of how the different backgrounds of employees can impact the interpretation of events. Improving understanding of different communication and work styles can help to mitigate conflicts between workers.