Employee turnover is a problem that some companies consistently suffer from. While there are likely a number of issues to address in such organizations, developing better systems for conflict resolution in the workplace is often critical.
Various Strategies for Employee Turnover
Effective strategies to support workplace retention are essential to any company. Some such strategies often include:
- Offering competitive pay, benefits, and flexibility
- Avoiding micromanagement
- Offering reasonable training opportunities
- Setting clear expectations
- Providing the tools needed to meet those expectations
- Establishing an inclusive company culture
- Hiring the right candidates to start with
These strategies are important for improving employee retention and strong community. What sometimes gets forgotten in these important conversations, however, is that effective conflict resolution in the workplace can be equally important in creating an environment in which employees feel safe, comfortable and supported in.
Conflict Resolution in the Workplace
While conflict resolution in the workplace contributes to an inclusive company culture, managing disputes is important all on its own, and requires a particular set of skills that not everyone in leadership can recall when needed. Employee conflict resolution has big impacts on employee retention in these ways:
Increased Tension and Decline in Performance
Work can be stressful even without added pressure related to workplace relationships. When stress is compounded at work, poor planning, ongoing disagreements, and mistakes start to emerge. Employee performance and motivation can dwindle and your business will likely suffer. Make sure you’re addressing conflict resolution in the workplace early to ensure this doesn’t happen.
Poor Communication
When learning how to handle conflict in the workplace, you’ll notice one key factor is effective communication. Conflict lives in a communication cycle. In other words, conflict can be caused by poor communication, and unmanaged, it can also create poor communication. If employees are concerned about ongoing tensions in the office, they may be less likely to reach out for guidance, to get support in fixing a mistake, or to communicate key aspects of the task at hand. Any barriers to communication in the workplace should be nipped in the bud immediately as it creates a fertile ground for mistakes, ineffective hand-offs, and even more disagreements.
Low Morale
Resolving conflict at work is an important contributing factor to company culture and workplace morale. If your employees dread walking into drama every day – and who wouldn’t? – their buy-in to the work and the commitment it requires can start to fade. Instead of worrying about their work, they’re going to focus on how to get through the day untouched by the drama as much as possible. Try to avoid creating that kind of environment for your employees or you will start to see them walk away.
Public Image
In these days of social media and internet oversharing, it might not be long before an internal conflict becomes public knowledge. If your company is on display for its inability to effectively manage conflict amongst employees, you may face some withdrawal from investors or avoidance from customers. Make sure you’re addressing conflict resolution in the workplace as soon, and as consistently, as possible. Seek out professional workplace conflict resolution services if necessary.
If you find yourself needing support with employee conflict resolution, don’t continue to struggle in silence. Get help from unbiased professionals who can diffuse the tension and teach everyone how to manage conflict moving forward. Contact Pollack Peacebuilding Systems today to get the right kind of resolution for your team.
