Use the 5 stages of the conflict process outlined on page 450 of the textbook to
ID: 413060 • Letter: U
Question
Use the 5 stages of the conflict process outlined on page 450 of the textbook to explain how the manager of a factory should deal with 40 employees ready to strike over a two-year wage freeze and 15% rise in health insurance premiums. Assume that the employees don't want to strike but feel it’s a last resort since upper management will not sit down with them to discuss their concerns, and that you are perceived as being the bottleneck in communication.
The following are the 5 stages of the conflict process from page 450:
1. Potential opposition or incompatibility
a. Antecedent Conditions
b. Communication
c. Structure
d. Personal Variables •
2. Cognition and personalization
a. Perceived conflict
b. Felt conflict •
3.Intentions
a. Conflict-handling intentions
b. Competing o Collaborating
c. Compromising
d. Avoiding
e. Accommodating •
4. Behavior
a. Party’s behavior
b. Other’s behavior
5. Outcome
a. Increased group performance
b. Decreased group performance
Explanation / Answer
The conflict between employee and company wherein the major conditions are:
Although it is to be noted that employee are not interested for strike but they are thinking to do so as they feel that upper management will not sit with them to discuss the concerns. Here, one thing is clear employees are loyal than expected as they are themselves not interested to go for strike but they are considering it as the last option.
Following way of dealing conflict may help using the 5 step conflict management process:
1. Potential opposition or incompatibility: Extra flow of information or too little information can create this conflict. It is to be noted that employees feel that senior management will not listen to their concern. It should be made them clear that senior management is working for the betterment of the company only and may take time to respond. They are increasing the capacity building of the company for the benefit. Since employees are least interested for strike, it means they are associated with the company from a longer run and they are not to young to understand the situation. Hence communicating them clearly that they must continue as usual can makes some sense initially.
2. Cognition and personalization: Employees are having a feel that senior management may not listen to them. Although it is not like that. Hence it can be made clear to them and this will reduce the interest of conflict. Because this is just a thought that they are feeling, although their is no such kind of disagreement.
3. Intentions: Intentions intervene between employee's perception. Employees in the given situation are feeling avoided, although which is not like. Hence if we collaborate senior management and employees by proper communication and trust. This may convince the loyal employees to not to go for strike
4. Behavior: Now here, behavior tells about the reactions. And employees behavior must be tried to change. This can happen if management gives them a written note, or part of the wages in coming few months. This will reduce the temper and the behavior may go positive. As the first concern is of wages. If it is being said that part of the wage will be paid in certain time and senior management is working for betterment of the organization. This will change the behavior and employees may get negotiated.
5. Outcome: Conflicts can result in positive way and can change the way of working environment if the outcomes are tended to be positive. Hence, finally, it can be communicated that part of the wages will be paid soon, management is focusing on developing more market meaning more business. Finally 15% hike in premium is a part increased benefits by the insurance company only. As this is to be paid to agency not to the company.
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