With the pandemic now under control, many businesses are asking their employees to return to work in the office. While some employees may be okay with returning to the office to continue working, others may not be happy to do so because of conflicts in the workplace.
Workplace conflict is not a rare occurrence because even the largest corporations have to deal with it at some point. Each workplace has people with different beliefs and communication styles, who will no doubt clash when discussions get heated. However, understanding and respecting these diverse perspectives can help find solutions to reduce workplace conflicts.
But, before you can find solutions to these conflicts, knowing what workplace conflicts are in your office is best. Below are seven workplace conflicts you may face, such as communication breakdowns, role ambiguity, or personality clashes, and how to deal with them.
1. Inflexibility
People tend to dismiss new solutions in certain workspaces because they don’t truly understand them or because they don’t come naturally to them. Because of this mindset, employees are convinced that their opinions will not be recognized even if they improve how the company handles specific issues. Conflict begins when someone actively fights for innovation and alternatives to be considered. It can be tricky to handle when these conflicts occur because you have to navigate two different types of disagreements.
It is best to learn which conflicts you should fight for to handle them. If the issue can still be dealt with through traditional methods, you should pass the situation even if you have conflicting opinions. However, if the problem is not resolved through conventional methods, you should address both sides and provide a way forward that works for both parties.
2. Poor Leadership
Poor leadership is another cause of workplace conflict. Leaders play a crucial role in leading the team during workplace conflict. However, if the team does not recognize the assigned leader or if the leader is not capable, conflict is sure to follow.
It’s important for leaders to step up and address these issues.
To deal with this issue, it is best to help the leader by providing feedback about their leadership skills during your one-on-one meetings with them. If you are the leader who is not given the right tools to help you with your position, you should take the time to attend leadership training sessions. You can also ask for feedback from your team to steer you in the right direction.
3. Post-pandemic Office Presence
With the pandemic behind us, people will be divided over the pros and cons of returning to the office. Some would say they find working at home much more comfortable than working at the office. Others would say it is a given that they should be back in the office to work now that everything is back to normal.
To deal with the arguments, you must find a common ground for both parties to agree upon or provide a solution for both parties. For example, if people prefer working at home, offer them a flexible work schedule where they have days they work at home, and days they should report at home. You should make it clear to your employees that if they accept a flexible work schedule, they must be able to reach a certain quota, and the quality of their work is top-notch. If the employer does not approve your request, consider looking for another job that will allow flexibility.
4. Disparities with Compensation
Another reason for workplace conflicts is compensation disparities. Some argue that they are being paid less than their colleagues in the same position. This builds resentment in the team and affects their productivity.
It is best to avoid conflict when handling this issue since it is an issue your company should handle. If you can, negotiate before you sign up with the company to see if you can negotiate for the proper compensation. If they disagree, you should look for other options.
5. Time Management
Time management can be a dicey subject for some workplaces. Some bosses may force you to rush your work. Others may need to give you a clear idea of when your deadlines are and cause you to laze off.
If you want to deal with this issue, it’s crucial to be honest and open with your team regarding your project deadlines. Encourage open communication and feedback. If someone is late, let them know they need to pick up the pace because delays can cost your business. You can also be open to working a schedule that works for all parties, considering that you may be part of different teams.
6. Lack of Recognition
Individuals in the company may feel like they are not recognized for their work. Some may even be victims of others taking credit for their work, which may not be discovered immediately. As a result, these affected people may resent the team and cause disagreements.
There are many ways to resolve this issue. First, you can credit your team members for their work and tell them they did a fantastic job. You can also be their referrer if they apply for a different position.
If you discover someone claiming another person’s work, ask them indirectly about their work and see if they can support their claim. You can also ask your boss if they can recommend ways to deal with people stealing your or another person’s work.
7. Out-of-office Personal Disputes
There may be cases where employees disagree because of social media and political views. Usually, these issues should be resolved outside the office. But if they bring the issue to the office, it may cause disagreements for the rest of the team.
Dealing with this issue can be tricky, but you can seek the help of HR to intervene and advise you on how to deal with these employees. HR can provide mediation, conflict resolution training, or other resources to help resolve the issue.
There will always be some form of conflict in the workplace. However, you can prevent these conflicts from causing further issues for the rest of the team by fostering open communication. Use the suggestions above as your guide; if the problem escalates, don’t hesitate to ask for help.
For more office relationship management, here are some help:
How to Establish Healthy Boundaries at Work
Understanding the Importance of Positive Relationships in the Workplace
5 Great Tips to Build a Strong Culture Among Your Remote Team
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