determining situations in which it should be stopped or fuelled. Kathy Perkins (2010) also offers eight (8) simple, smart strategies for resolving workplace conflict. She ends her article with this advice: "Take proactive steps to turn unproductive workplace conflict into positive forward-looking energy." If you are aware of or use other styles which were not mentioned thus far, then please share information regarding these approaches with your peers in the open discussion forum for unit 4 in the Learning Exchange. Conflict Resolution Procedure - Third Party Involvement In addition to the steps previously mentioned for handling conflicts, some organisations" policies and general legislative guidelines, for instance a Labour Code, can stipulate the criteria for handling work related disputes or conflicts, through a process of mediation, conciliation and arbitration. Some of you may be aware that in unionised environments these steps are usually grouped under the Grievance Procedure and
I have attached the unit readings to assist in answering hthe question
The Scenario
Joseph and Krystal are part of your social group. They joined Missile’s Financial Services together as middle managers. Each one, reports to a different senior manager. These senior managers report to the Managing Director. Once a month after payday, Joseph, Krystal and other members of the social group all try to have lunch together.
Joseph is very distressed. ‘I’ve had an awful week and this morning was the worst!’ He recounts what happen between himself and Nicholas, his manager.
‘Nicholas and I were to meet with a new supplier to finalize a contract. I have been dealing with the supplier all this time, over two and a half months and we just needed to finalize the costing. We had reached an agreement about the cost that both of us were comfortable with. For the past two weeks, I have been trying to get Nicholas to look at the contract and agree the figures etc. We really need this guy’s company. They are fast and have a great reputation for products and
services. The price is good and they are willing to customize the stationary, with no additional cost to us. Anyway, Nicholas was always too busy to meet. I emailed him the contract and my teams thoughts on how we should proceed hoping he would read it.’ My team consists of the Accounts/Finance Manager, Inventory Manager, Legal Officer, Research & Development Manager, Public Relations Manager and I, meet at different times and days.
‘Anyway, Nicholas and I, met with the supplier this morning. We are going through the
contract, the next thing I know Nicholas says, ‘This won’t work for us. The cost is too high. Where did these calculations come from?
‘If the floor had opened up and swallowed me I could have not been more embarrassed. I mean I spent three weeks, working on it with the team Accounting, PR, Legal and others! Joseph shaking his head continued, ‘he just took over the conversation. I mean we got the contract signed but in the end all that happened was that the figures were rearranged and we still end
up paying the same.’ ‘I am tired of this foolishness. He stays locked in his office on his cell every day. Only God knows what he does in there.’
Question
- Mis-understanding and delays can bring about conflict in the workplace, particularly when the parties have different interests. Reflecting on the story, what do you think Joseph could have done to manage the conflict between himself and his supervisor, Nicholas, in order to maintain a peaceful and productive work environment. List in priority, and explain two areas that would reduce possible conflict. Your responses must be supported by the reading material in Unit 4.
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