Conflict in the workplace is inevitable. There are many potential causes for workplace conflict, including personality clashes, stress, and heavy workloads. Many people would even say that some conflict is good for change and... [ view full abstract ]
Conflict in the workplace is inevitable. There are many potential causes for workplace conflict, including personality clashes, stress, and heavy workloads. Many people would even say that some conflict is good for change and growth. However, it can also lead to a variety of problems, not the least of which is employee dissatisfaction, and the desire to leave the company. Some believe that as the use of teams increases, the incidence of conflict will also increase. Research indicates that dysfunctional conflict can be costly. It results in time being wasted, lower productivity, absenteeism, and lower motivation.
Many companies have established programs to deal with conflict and these may include components such as a formal or ad hoc policy, a conflict management person, a committee or department, an ombudsperson, voluntary or mandatory policies on mediation and arbitration, grievance procedures, panels of internal or external neutrals, or a neutral fact-finder. However, some workplaces have no such program. The reasons for this involve a concern for the costs of developing and running a program, fear of causing conflict to escalate, too much attention focused on minor problems, and suspicion about these programs on the part of the employee and employer.
Even if no program exists, conflict probably does. An individual involved in conflict and looking for a solution must first ask him or herself several questions: Are you a manager or supervisor? Are you directly involved in the conflict or just impacted by it? If you are directly involved,
with whom is the conflict, i.e., A co-worker or a supervisor? If you are not involved in the conflict, do you have the time and the skill to participate?
The answers to these questions will determine a course of action. This paper will suggest and discuss various techniques addressing those answers.
