Understanding Conflict Essay

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Understanding conflict management in the workplace AC 1.1 Identify causes of conflict at work Due to the nature of teams at work incorporating individuals with different personalities, roles etc. there will be conflict to be managed. Conflicting use of resources with different deadlines and pressures can cause stress and tension if allowed to continue and even conflicting personal values can lead to full blown conflict as I witnessed myself in the workplace; I had two colleagues who were both very different in attitude towards kitchen hygiene. Tom worked in sales and was always on the phone and did not like to be away from his desk for too long. He would make a sandwich or coffee and quickly return to his desk. He did not clear up after himself straight away but usually did all this at the end of the day and he usually stayed a bit later to do it. Bob had a different role and was more mobile around the workplace and able to spend time away from his desk. He was fastidious about clearing as he went and was constantly complaining about Tom’s habits. Tom was under pressure with work and often this led to arguments until the point where the manager had to step in. The manager was not happy at having to take time to address such a trivial thing as he saw it but I believe the conflict affected everyone as both Tom and Bob were lobbying support for their own cause from the other staff which was leading to division. The manager instilled a rota for checking the kitchen twice a day for tidiness. It allowed Tom some time to get his tidying up done and this satisfied Bob even though he would have liked it done more often. The conflict was diminished and the effect on the whole team was positive. AC 1.2 Describe the stages in the development of conflict. From the previous example the initial conflict began as an annoyance or dispute between two people but
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