Workplace Conflict Resolution Skills

According to the Labour Relations Agency, workplace conflict is costing Northern Ireland employers £850 million a year. Workplace conflict can occur across a wide spectrum of behaviour, from a low-level difference of opinion to serious incidents of bullying or harassment. Not all conflict is necessarily negative, but even a minor disagreement between people can fester and escalate if it is not addressed and resolved at the earliest opportunity. Research by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has found that the single most common cause of workplace conflict is differences in personality styles. The most common behaviour associated with conflict at work is poor communication and the consequences can range from a drop in motivation, commitment, and engagement, to high levels of anxiety, stress, and staff turnover. We believe that having our teams, staff, managers and leaders better equipped to deal with conflict makes our organisations better places to work.