Understanding and dealing with workplace conflicts

There is much talk in books and on training courses about the ‘positive effects’ of group conflict in the workplace. However, while a healthy competitiveness may be okay, for most individuals and groups there is little positive about conflict while it is happening. For the people concerned, conflict involves pain, discomfort and stress. For organisations, conflict undermines performance and productivity. Organisation planning and development are often hampered as people focus on the interpersonal problem rather than their work.In the current climate in the public service as staff react to increasing pressures, conflict may well be on the increase.

Typical signs of serious conflict are: frequent disagreements on work-related issues; cliques, people not talking to each other and people talking behind each other’s backs; a ‘blame culture’; excessive sick leave and absenteeism; absence of consensus on key issues; bullying and harassment; low morale and motivation; anger and frustration and frequent complaining; poor unit or team performance, and resistance to change.

While it is easier said than done, it makes sense for all concerned for line managers to tackle situations like this before they reach crisis point.

This one-day workshop gives practical insights into how to analyse and intervene in situations such as this. Through practical exercises based on ‘real world’ scenarios, participants will learn how to apply a range of tools to better understand ‘what is going on’. Participants will learn about the range of formal and informal approaches that can be used to effectively address group conflicts in the workplace.

This training workshop will help you to:

• Deepen your understanding of the dynamics of inter-personal conflict in the workplace
• Identify the symptoms or signs of serious conflict
• Learn how to analyse a conflict using a range of practical tools
• Become familiar with a range of interventions techniques using third parties
• Become better able to resolve workplace conflicts

The seminar will involve formal presentations, individual and group work, participative discussion, and role play exercises. It should be attended by any line manager who either has a conflict situation now or can expect to have one in the future.