How to Resolve Employee Conflict

Taking notes during conflict interviews lets the employee know you are listening.

You can resolve employee conflicts by handling them head on with an open and honest approach. Problems tend to arise in many workplaces due to personal disagreements and the competitive nature of many work environments. Allowing these conflicts to continue only further divides the employees that are involved. Take control of a conflict situation to guide employees toward compromise and resolution. Bring the members of a workforce back together to optimize efficiency by quickly squashing a conflict.

Instructions

1. Make an announcement to all the employees that you will be conducting interviews of all the parties involved in the conflict. Advise that all gossip and contentious talk must come to an end immediately.

2. Interview each individual employee separately and take precise notes about their perspectives on the conflict. Ask every employee for specific suggestions to resolve the conflict.

3. Read your notes back to each interviewee at the end of the interview to make sure you understood them fully. Give them an opportunity to ask you questions or add pertinent information that was missed.

4. Review all the notes from the interviews to formulate a resolution plan that is best for the needs of the company. This often means that disciplinary action, demotions or dismissals may need to be issued. Consult with other managers to enact a plan that is in keeping with company policy or precedent.

5. Hold a group meeting to explain the resolution plan and remind employees that they have already been given a chance to voice their point of view on the conflict. Thoroughly explain the course of action that will be taken by management and what is expected of the employees.

6. Monitor the resolution plan to make sure that equal efforts are being made on all sides. Continue with individual interviews and additional disciplinary action as necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• Contact company security or the police department if a conflict becomes physical. Getting involved in a physical altercation with employees may lead to costly legal proceedings if handled incorrectly.

References

• Work Relationships: Keeping 'Cool': Control During Interpersonal Employee Conflict
• Business Management Daily: Workplace Conflict Resolution: 10 Ways to Manage Employee Conflict and Improve Office Communication, the Workplace Environment and Team Productivity