Rlchard Pettlnger

CONFLICT

There is potential for con flict in all human situations. Where con flict does break out, whether formalized in labor relations disputes or ad hoc as a part of working life, it is stressful and damaging. Stress is managed when the following actions are taken.

» Developing rules, procedures, and practices to minimize the emer- gence of con flict, and when it does occur, to minimize its undesirable effects.

» Ensuring that communications are active in minimizing con flict so that disputes are kept to an absolute minimum, and misunderstand- ings are reduced.

» Separating sources of potential con flict.

» Making arbitration machinery available as a strategy of last resort.

» Using confrontation to try to bring all participants together in an attempt to present them with the consequences of their actions.

It is important to recognize that the working environment and collective attitudes must be capable of dealing with professional and occupational argument, discussion, and debate, while being able to address and remedy the other sources and causes as soon as they arise. Unresolved conflict leads to escalation, and also has stressful side effects such as denigration, bullying, and victimization.

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