Conflict Management The Cost of Workplace Conflict

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Conflict Management (The Cost of Workplace
Conflict)

• Presented by
• Andrew Carnegie
• of
• Counselling Appraisal Consultants Pty Ltd

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Workplace (Interpersonal) Conflict

• A situation where workers are no longer able to
  relate positively and constructively to each
  other due to the emotional intensity that they
  are investing in their particular difference of
  view or dispute.

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Presenting issues of interpersonal conflict in
the workplace

• Poor communication
• Unclear definition of responsibility
• Clash of perceptions, goals, values and needs
• Performance
• Limited resources
• Personality differences
• Lack of support / understanding
• Mistrust
• Bad behaviour / conduct
• Prejudice, ignorance, cultural differences
• Underlying dynamics - threatened egos, pride,
  security

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Why is it increasing?

• Workplace changes
• Increased accountability / transparency
• Increased uncertainty
• Limited resources
• Conflicting / competing expectations
• Work-life balance challenge
• Mental health issues
• Increased awareness and understanding of rights

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The implications and cost of taking no action

• Reduced morale, productivity, performance,
  teamwork,
• job satisfaction
• Increased absenteeism, presenteeism, staff
  turnover
• Frustration, anger, cynicism
• Stress related medical conditions
• Workers compensation claims
• Litigation

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• Unresolved conflict represents the largest
  reducible cost in many businesses, yet it remains
  largely unrecognised.
• Measuring the Financial Cost of
  Organizational Conflict. Daniel Dana.
• The key to controlling the cost associated
  with workplace conflicts is to address disputes
  early in their life cycle before they escalate
  beyond an organisations ability to effectively
  intervene.
• Conflict Management Systems. Thomas
  R. 2002

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Restorative strategies

• EAP
• MAP
• Conflict Resolution
• Mediation
• Workplace Conferencing
• Conflict Coaching
• Health and Wellbeing assessment

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Preventative strategies

• EAP
• MAP
• Conflict Management System
• Training (focusing on middle Management)
• Coaching

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Current and future challenges

• Education within the workplace on how to
  manage
• conflict
• Clear, timely and well understood processes
• Appropriate resources
• Regular promotion and awareness raising
• Knowledge of triggers and vulnerabilities in
  staff
• Organisational commitment to staff health and
  
• wellbeing

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