Source : THE AGE NEWS
By Emily Chantiri
No matter the job, at some point workplace conflicts will raise their ugly heads. Mostly, these can be resolved, but if not, they’re likely to substantially impact employee turnover and productivity,
“The high costs of trying to manage conflict when it escalates leads to a cascade of costs for workplaces, including staff absences, loss of staff and poor morale.” said, Dr Samantha Hardy from Conflict Management Academy.
Workplace conflict can have a serious impact on worker wellbeing.Credit: Tamara Voninski
Many managers and employees are not adequately trained to manage conflict, and so it’s commonly avoided and left to fester.
Hardy adds the best solution is to ensure that all staff are trained in effective conflict management skills and for managers to promote a constructive conflict culture.
“This involves creating an environment of psychological safety to raise their conflicts early and have constructive conversations to resolve them. Almost all conflicts can be resolved early with respectful communication. The longer a conflict remains unaddressed, the harder it becomes to manage or impossible to resolve,” she says.
So what should you do if you witness an unethical situation? Do you speak up or risk losing your job?
In every office, there’s usually a favourite who always gets the best jobs and assignment. Upset them, and you could be out the door.
Kirsty Mastores, co-founder of HR consultancy Workchapters says if your moral compass says something is off, trust it – play it smart, raise concerns in writing, keep records and know your rights.
“The law offers some protection, but not every workplace plays fair. Some employers have anonymous reporting channels. Check what’s available via the intranet or employee handbook before speaking up.”
HR professional Katalin Suranyi agrees, larger organisations often provide confidential channels for employees to report unethical behaviour anonymously, ensuring the employee faces no repercussions.
“In smaller organisations, anonymity may not be guaranteed, which makes reporting difficult. However, staying silent can lead to ongoing frustration and negatively affect an employee’s mental well-being,” she says.
To support a claim, employees should gather clear evidence or provide detailed descriptions to initiate an investigation. “When unethical behaviour occurs at the top, or management fails to act, the most appropriate step may be to seek employment elsewhere.”
Go against the boss’ directive
Another conflict scenario can occur when speaking out against a manager’s decision or task. Do you speak out, or go along with the flow?
“Speaking out against questionable tasks at work isn’t always simple, especially when job loss could lead to financial instability. In such cases, survival often takes priority, and staying silent might feel like the only safe option,” says Suranyi.
She recommends documenting the situation or seeking confidential advice.
As an additional way to protect yourself, don’t react in the moment, Mastores adds,
“Speaking up can carry risk, so take a breath, get clear, and plan your move. Raise the issue calmly, suggest a better way, and if the stakes are high, get advice first. You can speak the truth – just be tactical about it.”
The manager’s pet
In every office, there’s usually a favourite who always gets the best jobs and assignment. Upset them, and you could be out the door.
“Nothing tests your composure like work with your manager’s golden child. That favouritism is a workplace virus that kills morale, repels talent, and breeds dysfunction,” adds Suranyi. Don’t waste energy calling it out.
“That rarely ends well. Instead, consider relational intelligence as your superpower. The quality of your work life depends on the quality of your relationships. Handle the dynamics intelligently, not emotionally.”
Natasha Hawker, managing director of Employee Matters adds, the simple way to get noticed is to outperform them and develop other strategic relationships across the business. “Always look to help others, and think about the saying: ‘kill them with kindness’.”
