WORKPLACE

Preventing and resolving conflict in the workplace is key to maintaining productivity and healthy relationships among co-workers. Workplace issues can be very threatening to employees, as they may affect future career prospects, fundamental self-image, and ability to provide for one's family.

Relationships among co-workers and employers can be long-term, and like a family, we can't always choose who we work with. Successful conflict resolution is very important in maintaining and rebuilding these relationships, keeping things running smoothly, and reducing workplace stress.

In addition, mergers and acquisitions, downsizing, reorganizations, and management changes can dramatically affect morale and productivity. These processes are especially challenging when they involve work units that are widely dispersed and which may not share a corporate culture.

We offer a variety of services to prevent and resolve conflict in the workplace:

Workshops and Preventative Processes - Workshops and related processes can be held when a company is anticipating a difficult turn of events. These processes can be used to air employee concerns, fears, and possible issues; share information; and design preventative solutions that employees and management will find to be equitable, allowing the necessary process to take place in a more efficient and less stressful manner.

Facilitated Conversations/Ombudsmen - At times, employees or work units may need assistance discussing a difficult issue with another employee, work unit, or supervisor. Emotions may be running high, or there may be an imbalance of power that prevents effective communication. A mediator can provide a neutral in-person or on-line forum which allows discussion of such issues in a safe, respectful, and positive manner. Anonymity can be incorporated if necessary.

Mediation - A formal mediation can be used to resolve specific issues and identify an agreed-upon, binding solution, such as:

• Disputes between co-workers or workers and supervisors
• Wrongful termination, promotion, or salary/benefits issues
• Work duties and responsibilities - individual or shared
• Performance issues and employee evaluations
• Harrassment or other misconduct
• Departmental or organizational issues