Mock Mediation: Navigating Workplace Conflicts

THE SCENARIO:

Kate and Harry both work in the Finance Department and used to be friends.

But after a restructure Kate became Harry’s Supervisor and the relationship has gone downhill.

Harry describes her as having become overbearing and a bully and he says she tries to micro-manage him.

Kate says that Harry gossips about her to other staff and that he refuses to acknowledge her as being his supervisor and describes him as ‘a law unto himself’.

She finds him impossible to manage and has begun to wonder whether he is upto the job. She has mentioned something about a capability process, which Harry has already taken exception to.

Harry says Kate excludes him from meetings and didn’t invite him to a party that everyone else went to recently, and even left him to man the phones when everyone else went to an away day.

A critical incident occurred recently, where Harry walked off from a heated discussion with Kate in the corridor and threated to leave. The Head of Department witnessed this, called Harry and Kate in, and has asked them to try mediation.

Sound familiar?

Workplace conflicts and internal disputes can be hugely disruptive for businesses. Effecting not just the people involved but often drawing in the wider teams too, disrupting team morale and also productivity and in some cases leading to the loss of key staff.

But tackled early, situations can be amicably resolved leading to improved working relationships and restore work efficiencies.

At this event we’ll explore the above scenario and undertake a mock mediation to understand more how such a process can help to resolve interpersonal conflicts within a workplace.

For anyone managing a team or with organisational responsibilities, not one to miss!

Book your place here

Location

Blackburn College - Industry Collaboration Zone, Feilden Street Blackburn BB2 1LH