Top Ways to Resolve Conflicts at Workplace

Conflict is at times an element of any workplace. Employees and employers must know the concepts of workplace conflict resolution in order to create a positive and productive working environment. This blog post will go over the top 8 concepts for work-related conflict management. 

Most Common Causes of Workplace Conflicts

Many factors can influence the way employees to behave in the workplace. Here are the top causes that can cause workplace conflicts.

Undefined job roles and poor responsibility distribution at the Workplace 

If a company does not clearly define employees' roles, conflicts can arise because of confusion. Additionally, if an employee is assigned to oversee another employee, jealousy and resentment may increase.

Insufficient opportunities

 

A sudden slowdown in employment can cause anxiety among employees. When an employee is given a promotion, others might start feeling demotivated. This can lead to work conflicts between colleagues when they are working on the same project.

 

Unhappy employees and a poor working environment

 

Unprofessional communication or assumptions about someone's character and distrust among workers could cause workplace conflicts. Therefore, it is essential to educate employees on how to work through their differences in time.

 

Personality differences

 

Up to 49% of workplace conflicts are caused by personal differences between colleagues. Unrest can arise when a newly hired employee reacts to a difficult situation in a negative manner. When this happens, the other colleagues become distasteful of the individual. Result? Arguments are inevitable.

 

Unrealistic expectations

Employees won't like you cramming them with work and making it hard for them to complete their obligations. So, conflicts at work occur when employers fail to meet the needs of employees.

 

Unclear company policies

 

A business must adhere to ethical procedures and guidelines in the conduct of its employees. Employees are less likely to trust management if a company is not doing this. In such cases, if workplace conflict occurs, the employees hesitate to speak to their supervisors, and fights escalate. 

 

Unresolved harassment issues at the workplace 

 

Some employees of your organisation might want to switch teams due to various reasons. One of the reasons could be a conflict with colleagues. If the management does not attempt to determine the source, tensions in the workplace could rise.

 

Lack of promotions at work

 

Conflicts will always arise if an organisation fails to provide work satisfaction to employees. Sometimes workplace conflict occurs when employees feel unappreciated and not valued. This can lead to resentment towards management, and conflicts arise when employees believe that leadership is biased. Thus, appraisals or pay systems should be fair for all employees.

 

8 Concepts of Workplace Conflict Resolution 

Resolving conflicts is simple when you have the proper tools. Here are eight concepts to help you resolve workplace conflicts:

 

 Set expectations during the onboarding process.

 

Setting expectations during the onboarding process is an excellent method to mitigate the risk of future conflict. When you set expectations early on, you will prevent several minor disputes that could escalate to full-blown conflict.

 

For instance, you could define expectations around communication style, your work breaks, and work hours. It is also possible to define expectations about how to deal with conflicts. If you establish these expectations early on, you can avoid many issues later.

 

 Ask & check in

 

A key aspect that can help prevent or minimise workplace conflicts is asking questions and keeping in touch with colleagues. Knowing each person's viewpoint and what they believe could be a possible solution is crucial. Be careful not to be defensive or blame others; instead, listen first and try to understand to what others say.

 

Once you've gathered this information, you can form a view or perhaps create an action plan that works for all involved. Communicating the plan to your team members is crucial to ensure everyone is on board. So, you'll be able to keep any conflicts at bay and work together to achieve your goals.

 

 Do not sweep conflict under the rug

 

A major error people make when trying to resolve workplace conflicts is sweeping it up ‘under the carpet’. It's human nature to avoid conflict; however, when you do this, it will only exacerbate and get worse. Avoiding conflict won't solve the problem; it will likely worsen it. If you're in the middle of conflict at work, the most effective solution is to confront the issue head-on.

 

You can, for instance, attempt to talk to the person you're in conflict with. It's not easy; however, speaking up and being truthful is crucial. It's also essential to listen to the words of the other person. Make sure to look at things from their point of view and seek common ground.

 

A different option would be to talk to an HR or mediator. This can be beneficial when you're unable to solve the issue by yourself. A mediator can aid in the facilitation of the conversation and assist you to reach a resolution that works for both sides. If you are proactive in tackling the issue head-on, you will keep it from developing into a serious problem.

 

 Find a win-win solution

 

There's always a solution for every issue, but it usually requires two people to recognise it. Find the solution that satisfies everyone, and if you cannot come up with one, then consider compromising.

 

Take, for instance, when you and your co-worker are unable to decide when to take lunch breaks. One week you could take your lunch at noon, and the following week they can take the lunch break at noon. So, you're both receiving what you want without causing major conflicts.

 

 Involve a third party if necessary

 

If workplace conflicts are difficult to solve by yourself or are beginning to impact your work performance, then it's an appropriate time to consult an outside entity. It could be a supervisor, human resources representative, or an external mediator. It is important to find someone who can be objective and neutral and has the power to take decisions when needed. This way, you can be certain that your dispute can be settled fairly and equitably.

Bottom line

Resolving conflicts requires time. Don't expect your employees to solve their disagreements overnight. If you're a manager, provide employees with all the tools they need to settle disputes, including counselling or mediation services. And if you are an employee, do not hesitate to seek help from your HR or managers. If you keep these suggestions with you, dealing with workplace conflicts will be a pleasant experience for all affected.

 

If you need outside help, HBAConsulting offers workplace conflict resolution services. Reach out to us today, so we can help you create a conflict-free workplace.