While many people enjoy a fireworks show at this time of year, not so welcome are “fireworks” in the workplace.
Whether it is the Catherine Wheel that has everyone going round in circles; the Banger holding in a grievance and suddenly exploding; or even the damp squib who may not go off but still causes conflict through constant negativity, there are numerous scenarios through which disputes arise.
Every business should have a disciplinary and grievance policy, and following this consistently is important.
Often a first step will be seeing if a matter can be resolved informally. If not, you proceed with the more structured process.
Interestingly, whether you go down the informal or formal path, mediation may be the most effective resolution.
What is mediation?
Mediation is a guided conversation between disputing parties in a safe, confidential space. The mediator is a neutral person who, rather than investigate or judge, facilitates the conversation which helps those in conflict better understand each other and find a middle ground from which they can both work.
From an organisational point of view, it offers some key benefits:
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It is a relatively fast-track solution which takes away the need for other more costly outcomes.
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It doesn’t lead to there being a winner and loser.
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It can bring everyone back into the fold, reducing the risk of any ongoing factionalism within your workforce.
It won’t always be appropriate – some things are too serious for anything other than a formal investigation.
Where mediation could help
Not all conflict is bad, of course. You may find that your employees’ best work comes when there is a bit of edge. Certainly, on Bonfire Night, the fireworks with the brightest sparks and loudest bangs are most popular.
Mediation may be particularly appropriate where it boils down to a personality clash, a misunderstanding/miscommunication, or perhaps when two teams have developed an unhealthy rivalry.
Three ways we can help
At The HR Dept, we specialise in preventing people problems. Our retained services mean we are always there to help you.
Conflict is inevitable at times though and as we have said not always bad. So we have two further ways in which we can help.
One: Training
We provide in-person workshops that cover a wide range of management practices, including conflict resolution, as part of a longer session.
Or, if you want to focus right in on this issue, our special eLearning course entitled Conflict Resolution Training could be for you. This is a 30-minute course, accredited by IIRSM and can be done at your own (or your manager’s) convenience. It covers an introduction to conflict, tips and techniques as well as how to handle more serious conflict.
Two: Outsourced mediation
Of course, even if you have the skills, conducting mediation in your own business is still time-consuming. Sometimes you or your manager may not be sufficiently neutral to take on the role. So we offer an outsourced mediation service where a trained specialist can come in and mediate for you. It is often a neater solution for an SME where mediation is the way forward.
To find out more about either of these services, please get in touch today. Better to help two warring employees let off some steam than set off the fireworks. Call us on 0117 970 2955 or visit our website www.hrdept.co.uk
