HOW MY WORKPLACE CONFLICT RESOLUTION SERVICES CAN HELP YOU

Workplace conflict may arise between employees, between a supervisor and a subordinate, or between departments of a company. Such conflict can be extremely costly. For example, such conflict:

• Wastes employee time in disputes that could be used productively.

• Impedes those who are in conflict from engaging in effective teamwork.

• Requires HR personnel or other executives to repeatedly spend time trying to resolve disputes, taking valuable time away from other more productive endeavors.

• Increases absenteeism.

• Can increase stress-related health costs.

• Often results in high rates of employee turnover, increasing both recruiting and retraining costs. (Statistics reflect that 50% of employee departures result from workplace conflict).

• Sometimes results in a disputant suing the company for hostile environment workplace harassment.

• Can lead to workplace violence.

Raytheon, for example, reports that it has saved, in litigation costs alone, 3-4 times the amount it has spent on workplace conflict resolution.

A comprehensive conflict resolution program at Motorola reduced its litigation costs by 75% over six years.

There are many sources of conflict, including diversity of ages, races, sexes and backgrounds, and differing personality types and communication styles. For many years, I have helped employers and employees resolve difficult personnel issues. Conflict resolution involves many of the same communication facilitation techniques that I use as a mediator.

How Do My Conflict Resolution Services Work?

My first step in the conflict resolution process is to find out from the CEO or HR person their understanding of the nature and the history of the conflict. The next step is usually for me to meet with the disputants to understand their views of the conflict.

In discussing the situation with them, I help them depersonalize the issues, resolve misunderstandings and recognize the hidden needs and concerns that often underlie such conflicts. Mediation/communication facilitation techniques help the disputants to move beyond past conflict, and to recognize that they have interests in common, such as a desire to have harmonious working relationships and to be able to excel in their jobs.

I can then help them develop and agree on a specific plan for working together in the future, including a plan for how they will handle future disagreements.

I can also train company executives, HR people and employees about effective conflict resolution techniques that they can use themselves. In addition, I can help companies design and operate their own conflict management programs.

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