Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Tough Times Mean More Workplace Conflict

During times when many organizations are tightening their belt, some leaders believe conflict decreases, but does it? Watch this 2 minute video to learn more:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPznQsR9wSs

Does conflict exist in your workplace?

1 comment:

  1. Anonymous2:38 PM

    The effects of "tough times" are a double wammy for most people. They watch or hear the news at home...in familiar surroundings...and say to themselves, "how will we keep this (life, relationship, family) together and moving forward?"


    They go to work and management tells the production floor workers, "we have enough work till the end of the month." They have not seen overtime for months.



    Now they see two inexctricably linked portions of their life "at risk." Two thirds of a typical day are in interrelated jeopardy. Sleep is the only safe place, but as tensions mount, sleep becomes an elusive sanctuary.



    Workers feel out of control and at risk at work because "it is management's job to assure us work." They feel out of control at home because they can not sustain an (unrealistic) standard of living supported by OT, two jobs and readily available credit.



    The feeling of being at risk is caused by that they cannot control or influence.



    While family hierarchy is generally not tied to economic conditions...dad is dad, mom is mom (yes, in the traditional, two-gender house), conflict will not, for some time, focus on continued connection to or contributions to the relationship.



    Not so at work. Work is highly competitive in many regards. Productivity, diminished waste, a lower number of "redos/do-overs," punctuality, and the ever present PERSONALITY ISSUES all influence employee retention. A worker's ability to influence the permanence of the employee/employer relationship is nearly nil. There is no certainty in a workplace any more, especially one, like GM which may not even "be there" next month, then what?


    Uncertainty works against a significant component of happiness, security, and stability...the comfort of same old, same old. When that comfort is eroded during two thirds of your day, you will be stressed, argumentative and inclined to do things that certainly lead to greater uncertainty.



    It is common sense.

    GLL
    Meeting with Success LLC

    ReplyDelete