We’ve all had those days. Where we’ve considered hurling the alarm clock at the wall and refusing to go into the work on the basis that your bed is just too darn comfortable. However, when a latent desire to stick it to the man turns into real dread about going into work, then it’s time to look at the issue a little more seriously.
Indeed, conflict can have an impact on your physical and mental health, as well as your career and relationships, so for the sake of your wellbeing, it’s best to be well informed about how to tackle this problem should it arise. With that in mind, here are 4 IDEAL ways to handle conflict within the workplace.
IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM
You won’t know how to successfully deal with the conflict if you haven’t fully faced up to and acknowledged it exists. Maybe you just get a bad vibe when you arrive at work and feel a bit weird all day, like there’s something in the atmosphere. Or maybe you know exactly which co-worker is the cause of your chagrin every single day of the week because they keep using your favourite coffee mug. Rather than passive aggressively labelling that mug, try to dial down into the root cause of the issue. Only by determining its existence and seriousness can you decide on the correct cause to follow.
DON’T HESITATE TO GET LEGAL ADVICE IN EXTREME CASES
There’s general workplace tension, of which every office suffers, and then there are life-changing altercations, such as dismissals or redundancy. Should the latter have occurred, it’s important to remember that you don’t have to deal with this alone, and you can find the right settlement agreement advice to guide you through the process – because the last thing you want when dealing with this conflict is to have to fight your corner alone.
SPEAK WITH A SENIOR STAFF MEMBER
Nobody likes a grass, but at the end of the day, if the conflict is preventing you from doing your job properly, or affecting your wellbeing overall, then it needs to be handled professionally and not ignored.
All companies or workplaces should have a designated senior team member, whether it’s a team leader, supervisor or manager, and one who is always open to communication and trust. If you don’t have anyone like that in your establishment, firstly, question their process, since they’re most likely breaking the law. If they show such disdain for their employees, then it might be time to look for a company that does value your opinion.
ADDRESS THE PERPETRATOR
This might take a lot of guts, but it’s worth it if such an action results in solving the problem. You will undoubtedly feel a whole load better for tackling the issue head-on and speaking your mind. Confrontation doesn’t have to mean worsening the situation; be sure to speak calmly and openly, and not in an accusatory way. Your nemesis may even respect your decision to raise the issue and get things sorted.