Workplace Dispute Resolution

What is a workplace dispute?

A workplace dispute arises from conflicts between employees, managers, or customers within a work environment. While many conflicts are temporary and self-resolving, intervention becomes necessary for ongoing or escalating issues.

Employers are responsible for establishing clear, written procedures for managing grievances and disputes, ensuring fairness and peaceful resolution. All modern awards and some enterprise agreements have specific dispute resolution clauses, applicable mainly to disputes related to National Employment Standards and award conditions.

Types of workplace conflict

Workplace conflicts can vary widely in their nature and severity.

Some disputes might stem from basic misunderstandings or differences in opinion. These are often easier to resolve once the involved parties discuss and clarify the issues. However, other disputes can have deeper roots, such as conflicting personalities, differing political views, or religious beliefs. These types of conflicts tend to be more complex and require a more thoughtful approach to resolve.

If not addressed, these deeper conflicts can escalate into serious issues like bullying, harassment, or even violent behaviour. It's crucial for employers to recognise and address conflicts early, ensuring a safe and respectful workplace for all employees.

What are common workplace conflicts?

In workplaces, conflicts can arise from various situations. Here are some common types of workplace conflicts:

1. Personality clashes when there's a difference in perception about someone's character or behaviour. Resolving such disputes often involves understanding and accepting differences in personalities and behaviours, as long as they are reasonable.
2. Leadership style differences can arise from misunderstandings about leadership styles. What some may perceive as bullying or harassment could be just a more direct style of leadership. However, it's important for managers to ensure their style doesn't cross into aggression or belittling, which can lead to claims of workplace bullying.
3. Differences in political, cultural, and religious views can get intense when they involve politics, culture, or religion, as these topics often evoke strong emotions. Disagreements in these areas can lead to anger, resentment, or even violence.
4. Pay disputes like underpayment of wages, incorrect penalty rates, or errors in annual leave payments are common sources of conflict. Employers are responsible for rectifying any payroll errors promptly to prevent these issues from escalating.

Understanding these common conflict situations can help employers identify and address them effectively, maintaining a harmonious and respectful workplace.

Workplace dispute resolution

Resolving workplace disputes is an important skill for employers and managers, ensuring a harmonious and productive work environment. While the ideal scenario is to prevent conflicts altogether, this is not always realistic. So, having an effective conflict resolution system in place is essential for managing disputes fairly and consistently. Here’s an approach for business owners to resolve workplace disputes:

Listen to both sides of the story

1. Begin by collecting information from all parties involved in the dispute. This could involve spoken or written statements.
2. Arrange individual meetings in a safe and private setting, allowing each person to express their concerns and perspective without fear of repercussions.
3. Gathering viewpoints from witnesses or colleagues who were present can provide additional insights and a more rounded understanding of the situation.

Encourage open dialogue between parties

1. Facilitate a meeting where both parties can openly discuss their differences. The aim is to reach a mutual understanding and agreement on how to move forward.
2. Depending on the situation, this could be a formal mediation session or a more informal discussion. In some cases, bringing in a professional mediator or counsellor can be beneficial, especially if the conflict is deeply rooted or complex.

Identify and address harassment

1. Stay aware for any signs of harassment as part of the dispute. If harassment is identified, it’s critical to respond promptly and appropriately.
2. Follow the disciplinary procedures outlined in your company handbook to ensure any action taken is consistent with your policies and legal obligations.
3. It’s important to make a clear distinction between regular workplace conflict and serious misconduct like harassment.

Support team building

1. Organising team building activities can be an effective way to restore and strengthen team dynamics after a dispute.
2. These activities can provide a relaxed setting for team members to engage with each other outside their usual work roles, helping to break down barriers and build understanding and camaraderie.

Additional tips for conflict resolution

• Maintain neutrality. As an employer, it’s important to remain neutral and objective throughout the resolution process.
• Documentation. Keep detailed records of all discussions and actions taken during the dispute resolution process. This documentation can be crucial for future reference and in ensuring the fairness of the process.
• Policy review. Regularly review and update your dispute resolution policies to ensure they remain effective and align with current workplace laws and best practices.
• Training. Consider providing training for managers and staff on conflict resolution and communication skills. This can help prevent disputes from escalating and promote a more collaborative work environment.

For immediate guidance and support in managing a workplace conflict, you can reach out to our 24-hour Employer Line at 1300 144 002 for expert advice tailored to your specific situation.

Frequently asked questions

What Is a workplace conflict?

‍Workplace conflict occurs when there's a disagreement or clash between employees, managers, or customers within a work setting. It can range from minor misunderstandings to more serious disputes involving deep-seated issues.

How can employers effectively resolve workplace conflicts?

‍Employers can resolve conflicts by listening to all parties involved, facilitating open dialogue, identifying any harassment issues, and working towards building a united team. It’s important to follow a structured approach that includes individual and joint meetings and, if necessary, mediation.

Are team building activities effective in resolving conflicts?

‍Yes, team building activities can be quite effective. They help team members interact in a non-work setting, allowing them to understand each other better and build camaraderie, which can help resolve underlying tensions.

What steps should be taken if harassment is part of the conflict?

‍If harassment is identified as part of a conflict, employers should follow the disciplinary procedure as outlined in their company handbook. It’s vital to address harassment promptly and ensure actions align with legal and company policies.

Can I seek external help for resolving workplace disputes?

‍Yes, employers can seek help from employment advisors or legal professionals. For immediate assistance or advice, employers can also use services like a 24-hour Employer Help Line.