The impact of conflict in the office
Workplace related conflict is not pleasant for anyone involved. But it has other negative effects too. It takes up huge chunks of the working day for managers – a reported 24% of their typical day, according to one study – and is financially damaging for businesses. The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) estimates that it costs UK businesses a whopping £33 billion pounds a year. Stateside, another study claims employees lose an average of 2.1 hours per week on office conflicts. So what can businesses do to counter these statistics?There are no logistical blueprints telling businesses how to manage or resolve conflicts. As conflicts occur between people, we are reminded that these are inherently human exchanges underpinned by emotions.
It’s a mediation, not a court battle
Don’t play the blame game

Avoid remote communication
Telephone calls and emails provide the opportunity for people to disengage, should the conversation take a turn they don’t like. Instead, face to face meetings means both parties have to behave in a more professional manner. Meeting in person also allows grievances to be addressed in a more holistic way through vocalisation of issues and concerns. This gives fair grounding to team members who may have writing or reading-related impairments, which may mean they are not able to express themselves as clearly over platforms such as emailing or texting.Going forward
There are no logistical blueprints telling businesses how to manage or resolve conflicts. As conflicts occur between people, we are reminded that these are inherently human exchanges underpinned heavily by emotions. It’s important that managers and other senior staff try to cultivate a climate wherein employees feel encouraged to vocalise their concerns about the state of communications in the workplace, whether it’s good or bad. Management can make a start by creating a working culture where conflict resolution is not a negative panic-ridden, and defensive, last resort, but an opportunity for the entire team to work together and make their business a happy, productive and democratic space.Share this story