Workplace Conflict between Employer-Employee

Workplace conflict is common, whether it is between employees or between the employer and an employee. Often, what motivates disagreements between employers and employees is the idea that the company goals are not in line with the goals of the employee. When it comes to dealing with this kind of conflict, several strategies can be used to ensure a workable resolution.

Employer's Interest: The employer's interest is generally what is best for the company and ultimately the success and profitability of the business. Efficiency and effectiveness are the main goals of the employer, with other attributes such as compliance and future impact also factoring in. Employers are generally willing to take ideas, comments and suggestions from top employees, as they realize these workers are the key to success.

Employee's Interest: An employee's interest differs from the company interest in several ways. While the employee is also seeking a stable and productive company to work for, they are also seeking fairness, respect and equality. Employees generally find conflict when the company goals overturn what they feel is the best interests of the employee.

Resolution: Bringing these two parties together for workplace conflict management is about getting each side to identify the goals and motivation of the other. Often, asking each side to explain how the conflict could best be resolved will give clues on any underlying issues and open the door for negotiations. When the workplace conflict can be discussed in a calm and rational manner, with the objective of finding a solution that satisfies the majority of requirements for both sides, the conflict can turn from a negative experience into a vehicle for improved workplace communications.

Third Parties: Often, because of the natural hierarchy and perceived power that an employer has over an employee, these kind of conflicts can be intimidating for the employee. Many companies resort to third-party mediation or bring in a neutral arbitrator from another part of the company to be the go-between and facilitate the negotiations toward resolution. Employers and employees can both benefit when a company has in place a method of dispute resolution that fairly and quickly takes action on any workplace conflict.