I have said it many times before today, when you are working with people you will always have people problems. There is just no getting around it. If it is not personalities that “rub” then it will be work styles, general attitude or beliefs.
We are humans and we are different, this is a wonderful thing, yet it can be a great division among coworkers.
As a manager what do you do when co-workers have conflict?
What if one of your staff members complains about another staff member to you, how do you handle it?
We know that there will be people at work that we just do not “click” with, but what do you do if to you the situation becomes intolerable for one or more employees because of another employee?
As a manager do you have a “line” drawn that coworkers would need to cross before you step in to take care of the situation? Do you suggest that those involved try to resolve the issue themselves?
What if you think the problem is not that big of an issue, yet to an employee it is? As a supervisor we are there to make sure that all of the team members play nicely together and get along.
What is the line between real issues and petty issues? Or is there a line? Possibly every issue needs to be addressed, it would almost seem this way.
We would be interested to hear how your place of employment handles employee rubs.
Practical Practice Management A Division of Top Practices 
This is probably the biggest issue facing managers. When I had a conflict between 2 colleagues that couldn’t be resolved I would create a situation where they need not work together – answer to different supervisors etc. Where it became a problem with production ie: we got less done because of the lack of cooperation, unfortunately I would end up letting one of them go in order to restore calm. Unbelievably the factory became like a playground at times!!
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Stu, it certainly can suck the productive time out of the day when co-workers have issues with each other. At times one or both will be more consumed with their discontentment with the other than they are on doing their job. A good friend once told me that you don’t have to like the people you work with you just have to work well with them. Pretty good advice 🙂
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Good job, Tina.
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Reblogged this on WOW. FUN. PEOPLE. and commented:
When coworkers don’t get along, it can make for a very awkward place to work for everybody involved. Unfortunately it can have a trickle down effect and sabotage the health of the corporate culture. Action needs to be taken by management to clear the situation before further damage is done.
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It sure can have that trickle down affect on others in the workplace as well. Some times I think it is better to just sit them down facing one another and spell it out, they were hired to do a job, do it or leave. It is a choice, they can change their behavior if they want to. The trials and tribulations of a manager 🙂
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I am not management, but I am pretty outspoken so if someone crosses my line I tell them in a polite manner. They may not like it, they may take offense and not feel they can speak to me afterward. It can be uncomfortable afterwards, but I make an extra effort to keep saying hello in a cheerful manner, just as if nothing happened. I inform someone else in a position above me, but only to let them know what has transpired, in case I may need back up later on. This has worked pretty well for me in most workplace conflicts. I notice how hard this is for others to do, I tell them it is hard for me too, but putting up with people who cross my boundaries is harder. 😉 Interesting topic Tina. xx
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You would make a great coworker! I believe the same, it is difficult, but as you said it takes care of the problem and you move on without changing the way you treat the person. Great advice, I think I will talk about this approach with my staff. Thanks 🙂
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