ENDING EMPLOYEE CONFLICTS

 

Valencia Policy 6Hx28:09-11, Reasons for Dismissal, states in part, "Career service employees constitute 'at will' employees as defined by the law of Florida and may be recommended for dismissal for reasons which may include, but are not limited to, the following:  C) Inability to work cooperatively with co-workers, I) Disruptive behavior, including abusive or profane language, fighting, harassing...other employees, students, or guests of the College."

 

However, where you have people, you have conflicts.  It's unavoidable.  The challenge is to make sure employee conflicts don't go too far and create a hostile environment that's harmful to the group.

 

To test your knowledge of the best ways to deal with conflict, answer TRUE or FALSE to the following questions.

 

At the early stage of a minor conflict between two employees, they first should be given a chance to work things out without supervisor/mangement involvement or intervention.  TRUE or FALSE

 

True:  Managers and supervisors shouldn't have to jump in immediately and settle every conflict.  The warring sides should be told that they're being given a chance to settle things and move on, and that if they don't, management will.  That lets people know they are trusted to act like adults.  The rest is up to them.

 

If a conflict gets to the stage where employees have to be disciplined, the discipline must always be the same for both, assuming they're equally at fault.  TRUE or FALSE

 

False:  Court cases have shown a supervisor legally can order different levels of discipline even if the employees have equal responsibility for the problem.  Those who have a work history of creating or being involved in conflict -repeat offenders- can be punished more severely than first offenders.

 

Let's say a situation has gotten to the point where a supervisor is involved in settling a dispute between two employees.  The first thing that should happen is that the supervisor/manager should get the two of them in a room together, and encourage them to hash out the issue with the supervisor as mediator.  TRUE or FALSE

 

False:  That's an invitation to further the argument and engage in finger-pointing.  The individuals should be spoken to first individually to see if things can be settled using that approach.

 

For more information contact the Valencia Community College Office of Compliance, Diversity & Equity in the Human Resources Department.