While the country is recovering from recession, one outcome of the changed atmosphere is an increase in workplace related conflicts. Acas, the workers’ conciliation body, has recently released a new discussion paper called ‘Riding out the storm: managing conflict in a recession and beyond’ which predicts that since the country is emerging from recession, workplace conflicts will also evolve and change. There could be new issues and new reasons for dispute.
The report says that in the wake of the recession, conflict at workplace can cause and be caused by lack of trust and engagement on the part of both the parties, harassment of workers, excess stress and bullying, etc, that is, such hidden conflicts will actually increase in number. Such conflicts usually do not lead to any complaints and thus escape the eyes of the authorities completely. As a result, it is not even a part of existing data about workplace conflict and goes unnoticed.
Further, according to the report, while pension does not currently appear in the collective bargaining agenda, it may soon become a common reason for workplace related disputes as the companies may want to close the schemes in order to save money.
The report also mentions the change in modes of collective action, like wildcat strikes which involves using internet tools like email and social networking sites and phone services like text messaging in order to organise protests more rapidly throughout the industry and the society.
The report has advised the employers to pay attention to the obvious as well as hidden forms of conflicts as once employees start losing their trust, productivity is lost and rate of absenteeism is higher. Management has to spend a lot of its valuable time in solving these issues and defending itself before employment tribunals. It also increases company’s turnover unnecessarily and can be really harmful for the health, safety and well being of the employers.
Workplace Law offer IOSH Training Courses, accredited by the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health, and all the advice and information needed for managers to successfully manage appropriate policies and procedures and improve upon management skills to help tackle stress in the workplace.