placeholder
Stuart Gentle Publisher at Onrec

Avoid indyref conflicts at work advises HR expert

For months, workplaces and households across the country have been debating the yes and no campaigns, and now the result has been unveiled, with 1.6 million people unhappy with the outcome, those discussions are unlikely to disappear

For months, workplaces and households across the country have been debating the yes and no campaigns, and now the result has been unveiled, with 1.6 million people unhappy with the outcome, those discussions are unlikely to disappear. 

Studies have shown that almost half of management time can be spent trying to resolve minor issues betweenmembers of staff, and with the country so divided on the topic of independence, workplace disagreements are now more likely than ever.

Leading Aberdeen HR and health and safety firm, Empire, offers mediation services to clients as an alternative path to resolving workplace conflict by allowing parties to state their case in a confidential forum.

Elaine Masson, head of workplace mediation and development for Empire, explained that disagreements between two workers can lead to a breakdown in a working relationship – which can cost businesses time and money. 

She said: “Often, workplace conflict starts with a simple comment, look or difference of opinion, and as the referendum debates have shown, emotions can run pretty high when it comes to the future of the country.

“Personal opinions andgood-hearted political debate is commonplace in the workplace, however whentensions run high, it can get in the way of a boss and employee or two colleagues working together. If left alone, bad feelings can grow. Leave it too late and a relationship could be irrevocably damaged.

“However, getting to the root of a problem can be a difficult task for an employer, which is so often why tensions at work are pushed aside.”

Often, an experienced mediator can very quickly settle a disagreement. Elaine said: “With no bias, a mediator will hear both sides of the dispute, allowing each party to fully explain their complaint, in a safe and respectful environment.  An independent mediator can have very open and frank discussions, which an employee may feel uncomfortable talking over with his or her boss”.

Empire CEO Steve Cook said: “Addressing conflict in the workplace early is key. Often simple disagreements can cause long-term damage to a working relationship and result in costly litigation.  An independent mediator, brought in early, can prevent a slight disagreement between two colleagues turning into an damaging legal process.”