Workplace conflict

There are broadly two kinds of workplace conflict: when people's ideas, decisions or actions relating directly to the job are in opposition, or when two people just don't get along. The latter is often called 'a personality clash'. A conflict of ideas on any aspect of business can often be productive, if the parties involved are willing to 'brainstorm' solutions together. Sometimes, the compromise can be better for business than either of the original ideas. Conflict of this kind often generates better work practices and initiates positive changes that would otherwise never have occurred.

Personality clashes, on the other hand, are very rarely productive. A clash may start with a dispute on business practices and escalate from there to mutual loathing, or else the two people may simply have disliked each other from the beginning. This type of workplace conflict is bad for business, because it can lead to downturns in productivity and increases in absenteeism. On an individual level, workplace conflict is stressful and unpleasant. This anxiety may spill over into other areas of life and disrupt, for example, personal relationships.

Telling the difference
It is important to work out whether the conflict is caused by a personality clash or due to a dispute over business ideas, decisions or actions. This may be difficult if the conflict has been raging for some time. Some questions to think about:

• Do you get frustrated or angry with the other person all the time, or just when particular work-related issues are raised?
• If you feel angry about their views on work-related issues, is your anger unreasonable or out of proportion? Would you feel as mad if someone else in the office had a similar viewpoint?
• Do you respect the other person in any way?

• Try to stick to the issue in all dealings. This will encourage the other person to do the same.
• Appreciate that other people have different opinions that are just as valid as yours.
• Work out whether the issue really means that much to you, or whether your dislike for the other person has hardened your stance.
• Decide that your aim is to solve the problem, rather than 'win' the argument. Be prepared to compromise.
• Push aside feelings or judgements about the other person, and try hard to listen and understand their point of view.
• Get others to mediate.

• Accept that people are different.
• Think about how much energy you are wasting in your dislike for the other person, and how you could invest that energy in more productive ways.
• Don't gossip or complain about the person to others.
• Try to be reasonable and polite, or at least neutral, to the other person.
• Work towards making your workplace a friendlier environment.

• Your employer
• Relationships Australia (Victoria) Tel.(03) 9205 9570
• Job Watch Tel. (03) 9662 1933 or 1800 331 617
• WorkCover Advisory Service Tel. 1800 136 089
• ACTU Workers' Line Tel. 1300 362 223

• There are broadly two kinds of workplace conflict: when people's ideas, decisions or actions relating directly to the job are in opposition, or when two people just don't get along.
• Workplace conflict is bad for business because it can lead to downturns in productivity and increases in absenteeism.
• On an individual level, workplace conflict is stressful and unpleasant.

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