How to Deal With Conflict With Your Boss

Whether you've been in your workplace for 15 years or 15 days, conflict can affect your work performance and overall health. This is especially true when the conflict is with your boss. Although you may feel powerless, you can assert your power over the situation by using good judgment and effective communication to deal with the conflict.

Instructions

1. Prepare for "battle." Confronting your boss will require mental readiness and methodical preparation. Make time to review office policies regarding conflict resolution and appropriate responses. Take a deep breath and realize you will be neither the first nor the last employee to deal with conflict with a boss.

2. Determine the cause of the conflict. Arrange a private meeting with your boss to discuss your concerns. Actively listen to and acknowledge valid points made by your boss. Modify your future actions to ease the tension. Several meetings may be necessary.

3. Keep your behavior professional. Your boss may resent being confronted about the conflict. Avoid gossiping to coworkers about the situation to reduce further tension.

4. Document all incidences. This includes all written correspondence and verbal episodes. Keep a copy in a safe location away from work. This will ensure easy retrieval of the documents if needed for further action.

5. Contact your human-resources department representative. The representative can provide conflict resolution by acting as a mediator between you and your boss. Discussing the problem with human resources may also uncover a pattern of bad behavior commited by your boss.

6. Remove yourself from the conflict if all else fails. Sometimes a department transfer or new job is the best solution.

Tips & Warnings

• There is help beyond your human-resources department. Feel free to take your concerns to your local Department of Labor if you feel you are not being helped.