Resolving Employee Conflict

Employee conflicts are inevitable occurrence in just about every workplace. They can be damaging to morale, teamwork and productivity. As a business owner, manager or HR manager, you play a key role in managing and resolving employee conflict.

Here are some practical steps you can take in dealing with peer-to-peer conflicts.

Find the Root of the Conflict
The first step is to identify the root cause of the conflict. It may be a personality clash, a communication collapse, a difference of viewpoint, or a host of other issues. Its important to understand the who’s, the what’s and the why’s to be sure you can uncover any potentially serious issues like bullying, discrimination or abusive conduct.

This process may involve an investigation of sorts, including speaking with possible witnesses and to gather multiple perspectives. You’ve got to uncover the dirt before trying to resolve anything.

Clarify of the Issue
One you have determined the cause, there are different strategies you can apply to address the conflict, but they all start with two-way communication. If the conflict is related to a misunderstanding or communication problem, you will need to clarify each side of the issue.

As a leader, start by providing a safe and confidential space for each employee to express their concerns. Listen actively and empathetically, trying to fully understand each individuals hurts, wants, needs and perspectives. You show respect and build trust during this process by avoiding assumptions and biases. Use open-ended questions and encourage dialogue by rephrasing relevant points allowing the employee to speak freely.

Many workplace conflicts arise because people feel that they are not heard. Just listening can resolve a myriad of issues.

Find the Common Ground
The third step in resolving employee conflicts is to find common ground and seek to merge the needs and goals of both parties. The goal here is not to placate their positions or demands. The goal is to bring the parties together based on shared values of the individuals and the company, and finding a win-win solution that preserves their relationship and morale.

Resolve the Issue
Once you have identified the root cause, clarified the issue, and found the common ground, you can then facilitate a calm and constructive resolution between the conflicting parties. It may involve bringing them together to discuss the resolution and to remind them of the bigger picture and the importance of moving past the issue. Make sure this resolution is agreed upon by all concerned.

Follow up and Monitor
Once the issue is resolved, be sure to monitor and follow-up with each employee involved to ensure the resolution is effective. Not all issues are resolved in one sitting, so be sure to promptly address any further issues or concerns and provide support and guidance as necessary.

Conflict in the workplace usually can be resolved effectively, but if you are unable to resolve an issue or if you are unsure about how to approach the problem, please contact the HR pros at Infinium.