{"id":336,"date":"2022-05-16T14:29:00","date_gmt":"2022-05-16T14:29:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.confiemx.com\/blog\/?p=336"},"modified":"2022-05-18T11:46:37","modified_gmt":"2022-05-18T11:46:37","slug":"how-to-handle-conflicts-in-the-workplace","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.confiemx.com\/blog\/career-growth\/how-to-handle-conflicts-in-the-workplace\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Handle Conflicts in the Workplace"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Workplace conflict is a funny thing. On one hand, nobody wants this conflict to happen. On the other hand, workplace conflict happens across the world each and every day!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Therefore, it\u2019s important to know how to handle conflict when it happens. Even managers often struggle with how to handle conflict. After all, when your job as a leader<\/a> is to get everyone to work as a team, you might not know what to do when team members are fighting one another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s where we come in. Keep reading to learn our top tips for resolving conflicts in the workplace!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ever hear the phrase \u201can ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure\u201d? That phrase definitely applies to handling workplace conflict!<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you hire new employees, it\u2019s important to let them know your door is always open<\/a>. Workers should feel safe and comfortable coming to you if they have any questions or concerns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With this policy in place, employees will know to come to you when there is a problem brewing. You may be able to help solve it before it turns into workplace conflict with a long, bitter, and ugly fight between employees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not every workplace conflict rises to the level where a manager must deal with it. In some cases, your intervention may actually make things worse!<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, imagine that you hear employees arguing about something like sports or politics. If you let the matter be, those employees may find some common ground. Alternatively, they may just \u201cagree to disagree.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n But if you step in to try to \u201csolve\u201d a problem that isn\u2019t that serious, it can actually make employees dig in and double down on their argument. Rather than heading a major problem off, you may have accidentally helped create one! <\/p>\n\n\n\n How do you know when to step in and when to let employees work a conflict out? Figuring out what they are arguing about is a good place to start. In some cases, the subject matter may require immediate intervention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, employees often tease each other. If one or more employees start bullying someone else, you will need to step in. You also need to step in immediately if someone is using language that is aggressive, threatening, or explicit. Management must always intervene when there is even a possibility of harassment or discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If things aren\u2019t this clear-cut, when do you need to get involved? Think of it this way: Any conflict that is hurting team morale or hurting team productivity<\/a> is a conflict that must be resolved immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When two employees are having a workplace conflict, where they work it out is almost as important as how they work it out. That\u2019s why you should not only serve as a mediator, but you should also find your employees a safe and private place where you can all talk together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The reason you need a safe, isolated space is twofold. First, it\u2019s possible that some (or even most) of the conflict came from one or even both employees wanting to impress other workers. By removing the \u201caudience,\u201d you can speak candidly to each one about the problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s the second reason you need a private space: You may need to speak very frankly to each worker about this conflict and its possible ramifications for their future at the company. Regardless of who \u201cstarted it,\u201d you should always give your employees privacy and dignity<\/a> during these mediation sessions.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOpen Door Communication Can Resolve Conflict <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Let Employees Work It Out When Possible<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Isolate the Cause<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Safe and Private Communications<\/h2>\n\n\n\n