Resolving conflict in the workplace

Resolving Conflict

Conflict in the workplace cannot be avoided but can be address promptly in order to avoid any future issues.  The situation at hand with this current employee, I feel it would be best to thoroughly address the issue by making sure all the complaints are valid and not personal.  I would like to start by listening to all the complaints and then watch this particular employee for a few days to make sure everything I bring to his/her attention is valid.  After doing so I would like to set up a face to face meeting with this employee (Tecrepublic, 2011).   

I would like to start the meeting by reviewing company work policies and then going over the job duties and what him/her is entailed to do during the course of the work day.  Once we have established all polices the company hold and we have an understanding of what is expected of him/her (Tecrepublic, 2011).

I will then begin to discuss the complaints and concerns I have received concerning the work performance performed.  I will not point any fingers or make accusations because my whole goal is to resolve conflict.  After I express all my concerns, I will allow the employee to address his/her concerns.  It could all be a simple misunderstanding of what is really expected.  He/she has only been employed with the company for such a short period of time and may just simply be confused about what is expected of him.  From my personal experience at my job there are more bosses than co-workers.  So many people try to dictate how a person’s job should be done it brings about confusion. If the problem is not work related and is personal I will express my concerns for the persons well being and offer him a referral to the EAP program.  The program is designed to help people with personal issues as well as work related issues (Tecrepublic, 2011).  Before ending the meeting I will make sure the employee understand that if there are any further issues I will have follow work polices. So I would like to see him/her make better progress on the job or the next step to resolving the issue can lead to write ups, suspension or termination.

 This particular conflict it is not a severe as it could be so I would approach the problem with flexibility, patience and remain calm and respectful.  I would express my concerns but I will also listen and then take a stance so the employee will know I understand but I will remain firm as well.  At the end of the meeting I would like us to have an agreement even if it is just verbal (Wiscedu, 2011).

Sometimes employees feel left out and disconnected from their boss.   It is important to let them know you are still human and can have a listing ear and it does not always have to be about production.  It is important to know what people are going thru in order to know exactly how to address conflict.  In my eyes if you know what the problems are you can fix the problem.

Steps to having a healthy work place: Know what your complaint is, don’t get involved in conflict that is, not yours, try to de personalizing conflict, being open, listen, don’t involve superiors, and limit complaints. Remember it’s not all about you (Medicinenet, 2011).

Medicinenet: Retrieved on March 14, 2011 from http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=60206

Tecrepublic: Retrieved February 28, 2011 from http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/10things/10-ways-to-deal-with-an-unhappy-employee/345

Wiscedu: Retrieved on February 21, 2011 from http://www.ohrd.wisc.edu/onlinetraining/resolution/index.asp

Media Technology

Media Technology

The 21st century has brought about great opportunities of communication.  There are several different way s to communicate without interacting face to face.  Some of the ways of communication I have found very interesting is the social networks and they are:

 Facebook:  Facebook is the perfect way to keep connected with friends and families far who live in the same city or even over sees. Once you make a facebook page you can add friends and be able to communicate with them.  On facebook you can share photos and communicate how you are feeling on a daily basis.  Facebook is used for communication amongst the virtual world between friends, families and possible new friends.  The intended audience anyone who wants to stay connected to friends in family in a less personal way (Personalweb, 2011)

Twitter:  Twitter is another social network and it is the same as blogging.  You can use it to send messages and answer question.  It is used to keep people updated on whatever it is you are sharing.  It is a way to informally communicate.  This informal way of sharing information can be shared with more than friends in family.  The main use for twitter is to share information with the world.  It is intended for a person who wants to get information out in the world no matter where you are (Tweeternet, 2011).

Blogs: Blogs are used to share information and receive feedback and discuss it is the same is twitter.  It is intended for people who have the need to express themselves publicly but in a less formal way.

Video sharing (Youtube):  you tube is used to upload videos such as dancing, singing, information videos but on a personal level.  It is intended for people who want to be noticed for their talents and other attributions. 

On a daily basis my kids are on a social network, My youngest daughter can do more on the computer than her older sister and that goes to show how effective the social network is.  She is a big fan of you tube.  On youtube she has access to dance videos and singing videos made by ordinary people.  Just yesterday she made a dance video.  No she cant dance but she told me by time she is 18 she will be a great singer. 

Personalweb: Retrieved on February 17, 2011 from http://personalweb.about.com/od/makefriendsonfacebook/a/whatisfacebook.htm

Tweeternet : Retrieved on February 17, 2011 from http://tweeternet.com/#explained

Single parent

About 84 percent of single parents are mothers and sixteen percent are fathers.  Forty-five percent of the others become single parents through divorce or separation and fifty seven percent of the fathers become single the same way. (Single parents.com), ( Family.jrank, 2011).

Single parenting is challenging.  Parents love their children and would never want to hurt them but some marriages and relationships do not work out.  There are options that can be taken to resolve the issues that can happen when a parent becomes a single parent.  There is the option of co-parenting.  Co parenting is where both parents provide for the child in a physical form.  They are active in the child’s day to day life.  Although it seem like your life has taken a drastic change it is best to think about the children involved before making a final decision (Remarriage, 2011).

If the decision is made to be a single parent and the child resides with one parent and the other pays support and is only physical active with the child on a part time basis a parenting plan can be prepared Remarriage, 2010. A parenting plan is when the parents get together and discuss how they want to see the adult relationship handled.  They can decide ahead who will be involved in what and who cannot.  In doing so it will stop conflict before it happens. (Remarriage, 2011)

If the parents does not have a plan and separate in anger it can cause a problem for the children involved and the parents.  Divorce separation and single parenting can be very stressful and cause a lot of confusion if the parents don’t have any resources to turn to(Remarriage, 2011)

After going thru a divorce the question about who is going to raise the children and who will pay the support arises.

Throughout the decision to become a single parent there are also financial needs that have to be met to raise a child and it is the parent responsibility to provider for the children regardless if the parents are together for not.  Many single parents do not want to relay on the other parent provide financial support.  At some point some parents do need financial support and will have to turn to the other parent involved so there needs to be a financial plan set in place to provide the care for the children involved.  Some parents will be resentful and not provide support and it will have to be enforced by a local child support agency but always keep in mind the well being of the children because it is all about the children(Remarriage, 2011)

Family.jrank: Retrieved on March 14, 2011 from http://family.jrank.org/pages/1574/Single-Parent-Families-Demographic-Trends.html

Remarriagessucess.com: Retrieved on March 14, 2011 from http://www.remarriagesuccess.com/single-parenting.html

Singleparents: Retrieved on March 14, 2011 from http://singleparents.about.com/od/legalissues/p/portrait.htm