Avoiding Conflicts at Work

It is going to happen at some point.  You disagree about a patient's care or treatment, or you are not happy about the way the schedule is made out, and you find yourself beyond annoyed.  There are ways to handle frustrations and concerns without creating turmoil in most cases, just put some thought into it before you execute an action.

Communication

Communication is the number one way to avoid a conflict with another person, and it especially holds true with coworkers.  You could be thoroughly annoyed by something your coworker is doing, and yet they have no idea that anything is wrong.  If you bring it to their attention, it may not get resolved, but it is at least a step in the right direction to moving forward.  Don't share your frustration of one coworker with another, unless you feel the need to approach your supervisor.  Talking to other coworkers about a particular coworker is gossip, and it's not going to resolve the problem at all.  Confront the coworker that you are having a conflict with, and take some of the blame yourself.  Ask what you can do to help improve the situation, and hopefully things will end on a positive note. 

Related: How to Prepare for Your First Performance Review

Overreacting

Don't sweat the small stuff, seriously.  Little annoyances can add up, there is no doubt about that, but don't let them get to a boiling point.  Discuss them with the appropriate person if necessary, and then let it go.  If you do plan to voice a complaint, give some thought to it first, is it really worth complaining about?  Constructive complaining is good, constant complaining is annoying. 

Conflict Resolution

• Don't share information regarding your conflict involving one coworker, with another.  It does no good to share it with someone that cannot offer a solution. 

• Address it sooner rather than later.  If it's worth mentioning, then don’t let it go, and have it build tension every step of the day. 

• Meet with your coworker face to face and in private.  A conflict should never be addressed in a public area, or in front of other employees. Make the time to meet one on one with your coworker, and clear the air.

• Try to find some area of common ground.  There is bound to be something that you can both agree on, use that to advance into other areas,’

• Keep your mind open and flexible.  If you sit down to meet with your coworker, and your mind is already made up and determined, your meeting will probably not go well.

• Identify the root of the problem.  It may not be even worth having a conflict over, or you may both agree it is a problem, and agree on how to solve it.

• Schedule another meeting time to follow up and make sure the conflict is resolved.

• Involve Human Resources when necessary, however, attempts should be made to handle it at the employee level. 

Expecting Conflicts

When you are around someone 8 or more hours a day, there will be times that they appear to bother you regardless of what they say.  Let things slide until a, later time.  When you are not tired, or frustrated, it may be nothing even worth mentioning.  It's not easy to be around even a loved one at home all the time; there are occasional conflicts, so it makes sense that coworkers are no exception.  After tensions have calmed try to discuss a resolution, and then move on.  If you disagree with a coworker on procedures, leave it up to your supervisor to determine how best to handle it, that way it's out of, your hands. 

Related:  Why are Preventive services so important in Nursing?

Team Meetings

If your employer does not offer regular team meetings where employees can discuss any concerns, problems or issues, inquire if one can be started.  A once a month meeting can be very beneficial, and allow any concerns to be discussed, as well as any ideas and suggestions.  Arranging the meetings close to shift changes can allow for adequate coverage of patients so that everyone on the same shift has the option to attend.  Appoint a leader to organize and keep some control over the meeting, and you will be pleased at how employee conflicts decrease. 

Workplace Conflict Formula

1. Identify the source of the conflict - communicate with your coworker, ask their thoughts, work together to understand how the problem originated. 
2. Find a common ground - that may be to simply agree to disagree, but at least agree to respect one another's opinions. 
3. Listen to your co-workers without emotion.  Don't get mad, or upset, this is a time to hear one another viewpoints. 
4. Collaborate to solve the problem, or at least to figure a way to deal with it in the future. 
5. Schedule a time to meet again to follow, up and see if the problem has been resolved. 

One very important consideration is that conflict is actually not a bad thing.  People are all different, and if you fill a room of 100 people, you are likely to get 100 different opinions regarding the same subject.  It's actually not the conflict that is the problem; it's the way it's handled.

There are certain subjects that should never be discussed at work, even if they are in debate within the current media spectrum. Even if it is an election year, with politics and candidates all the talk, avoid it.  If asked for your opinion, the best thing to do is say you just do not discuss politics at work. Everyone has an opinion, and you have the right to express it; however, there is a time and a place, work and politics do not mix well.  The other subject to avoid is religion.  Religion is a personal choice, and should not be brought into the workplace, regardless of your stance on it.  Avoid those subjects, and work to settle conflicts quickly.

Related:  Skilled Nurse Dawn M. Li, BSN, CNOR, to Be Published in the Worldwide Leaders in Healthcare

Please follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Pinterest  and Twitter