How To Handle Employee Conflict in the Workplace {10 Best Tips}

Employee conflict is inevitable in any workplace. It can arise from different personalities, work styles, or communication preferences. As a manager, it is important to know how to handle employee conflict in the workplace and resolve it in a way that benefits the company.

This blog post will discuss 10 tips for handling employee conflict to minimize stress and maximize productivity.

Related: Importance of HR in Small Businesses

Conflict in the Workplace is Natural

In any work environment, employees will inevitably be different opinions. With such a diverse group of people working together, it is only natural that there will be conflict.

However, as a manager, you can create a work environment that is tolerant of these differences and encourages employees to explore them openly.

It is essential to know when to allow employees to work out their differences on their own when to involve HR, and when (and how) to mediate a conflict on your own. Remember that conflict is a natural part of any workplace and that only by exploring it can you grow from it.

Related: Conflict Management Skill

10 Ways on How to Handle Employee Conflict in the Workplace

When it comes to managing employee conflict, there are a few different approaches you can take. But, of course, it all depends on the situation at hand and the severity of the conflict.

Here are a few different ways you can deal with employee conflict in the workplace:

1. Be aware of your behavior

When engaging in conflict resolution, it is essential never to focus your words on the person. This can be counterproductive and make the situation worse. Instead, focus on the behavior that is causing the issue.

For example, if you are mediating a workplace behavior issue, your focus should be on the behavior, not the person responsible for the behavior. Remember that people can choose to behave however they wish, even if it’s not reflective of their personal beliefs or attitudes.

Therefore, avoid questioning the employee’s values or beliefs during a discussion.

2. Find the root cause of the problem

Workplace conflict is bound to happen from time to time. It can be caused by miscommunication, misinterpreted details, mismatched personalities, or employee competition.

Resolving conflict as soon as possible is essential so it doesn’t become an ongoing problem. To resolve the dispute, you need to understand the root cause of the problem.

Like, if it’s something serious like sexual harassment or discrimination? If so, that’s an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issue, and your company should already have policies and procedures to address it.

3. Keep a record of the incident

When dealing with workplace conflict, keeping track of all employee-related incidents is essential. This will help you monitor employee behavior over time and identify toxic behavior patterns.

Recording incidents will also help you resolve conflicts quickly and efficiently. Be sure to include the facts from each incident and the resolution each party agreed to. This will help create a healthy and productive work environment for all employees.

4. Establish an open door policy

One way managers can catch conflict early is by implementing an open-door policy. This policy should encourage employees to come to management about any matter of importance without fear of repercussion.

It involves active listening, asking questions, and utilizing teamwork. With this in place, employees will be more likely to reach out when there’s an issue, which can help to prevent conflicts or keep them from escalating further.

The open-door policy should be communicated to all employees, and it should be made clear that disciplinary action will not be taken if an employee comes to management with a concern. By creating an environment of open communication, managers can help to prevent conflicts from occurring or becoming more serious.

5. Get rid of your biases

Managers are often placed in the position of dealing with employee-related conflicts. To resolve these issues, managers must have strong self-awareness. To identify the problem, managers must be aware of their biases, trigger points, and preconceptions.

Without this self-awareness, it is difficult for managers to rise above their personal biases and see the situation from other perspectives.

Additionally, managers must be aware of how they react physically and emotionally to conflict situations. Managers hope to resolve employee conflict by being aware of these things effectively.

6. Facilitate mediation between parties in conflict

If a conflict arises, don’t hesitate to facilitate mediation between the parties involved. Meditating can help employees communicate openly and honestly about the dispute, identify the root of the problem, and brainstorm possible solutions.

It can also help to build trust and understanding between the employees, and it can prevent future conflict from occurring.

So if you see conflict brewing at work, don’t hesitate to step in and mediate. It could make all the difference in resolving the situation.

7. Encourage employees to find common ground

When employees can find common ground and compromise, it can lead to a resolution that everyone can be happy.

However, conflict resolution is not always easy, and it often requires both sides to be willing to meet in the middle. Employees who can see both sides of an issue and who are willing to compromise will usually be able to find a solution that everyone can live with.

Encouraging employees to find common ground and compromise where possible can often lead to a more productive and harmonious workplace.

8. Recognize when emotions are running high

Employee disputes are a common occurrence in any workplace. When tempers are flared and emotions run high, it can be challenging to see clearly and make rational decisions. In these situations, taking a step back and allowing everyone to cool off before resuming the discussion is essential.

This can help prevent the situation from escalating and allow everyone to approach the problem with a clear head. However, it’s also important to remember that it’s not the person you’re struggling with; it’s the situation.

If you can keep this in mind, finding a solution that works for everyone involved will be easier.

9. Invest in training

Conflict can be constructive or destructive, depending on how it’s handled. That’s why all employees need to have conflict management skills. One way to develop these skills is through conflict resolution training.

This type of training can help employees learn how to identify and deal with conflict in a productive way. It can also help them understand the root causes of conflict and how to prevent it from happening in the first place.

Investing in conflict resolution training can give your team the tools to manage conflict better and create a more positive and productive work environment.

10. Employee handbooks can provide insight

It’s important to resolve conflict in the workplace swiftly and effectively, and the best way to do that is to consult your employee handbook.

The policies in your handbook should be clear and concise, leaving little room for interpretation. This will help ensure everyone is on the same page and knows their expectations.

As a leader, it’s your responsibility to ensure your employees are aware of these policies and understand that they will be held accountable for their actions.

Related: 5 Different Conflict Management Styles

Consider an Outside Help When Appropriate

Workplace disputes can damage morale and productivity, so they must be handled carefully. However, the employees involved in some workplace conflicts can resolve them themselves.

But, sometimes, there are certain situations when human resources should get involved. These include cases where staff is threatening to quit, employee morale is suffering, disagreements are getting personal or disrespectful, or disputes interrupt workflow or threaten the company’s success.

In these cases, a mediator, arbitrator, or attorney can provide the necessary assistance. By handling workplace conflicts sensitively and effectively, companies can avoid many negative consequences from these disputes.

Related: Collaboration Strategies

Conclusion

Dealing with employee conflict can be challenging, but it’s important to remember that by addressing the situation head-on, you’re showing your team that you care about their well-being and want to create a positive work environment for everyone.

Have you tried any of these methods for dealing with employee conflict? Let us know in the comments section below.

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