Even in the most congenial and pleasant work environment, where there is more than one employee, there is bound to be a dispute here and there. Sometimes, what may seem like a small issue could develop into a persistent issue that impacts many aspects of the overall workflow.
Workplace conflict is never good. It can create a hostile work environment, hinder productivity, affect operations, and impact customer satisfaction and, ultimately, the company’s finances.
When an employee dispute arises, handling it correctly is critical. The right approach can resolve an issue quicker and with less stress, and it can also keep the work environment sociable, positive, and productive.
If you are a business owner in California and you have employees, then knowing what to do and how to handle employee conflicts is important. Doing things right can be the difference between a positive workplace culture and a toxic one that can lead to legal troubles down the road. For all of your questions or assistance with handling employment conflicts, the Los Angeles business litigation law firm, Leiva Law, is here for you and ready to help.
Tips for Managing Employment Conflict
There are several things you can do to mitigate the chances of an employment conflict coming about or to provide the framework, in advance, regarding how to manage problems at work. Some of the strategies you should consider implementing at your workplace include:
Establish Comprehensive Company Policies
Having clear procedures and policies gives employees an understanding of what is acceptable and what is not, as well as what steps to take if issues arise. An employment handbook explaining harassment, code of conduct, dispute resolution, and more should be given to every new employee, with regular refreshers on the policies and procedures to all other employees.
Promote Communication
Making it easy to address management and offering a supportive atmosphere where employees can feel comfortable, not intimidated, to speak up, allows for conflicts to get resolved more quickly and easily. This reduces the chances of a problem at work getting out of hand and becoming a bigger issue than it has to be.
Accurately Document Disputes
Keeping documentation related to all communications, meetings, protocols for dispute resolution used, and anything done to reach an agreeable solution where the problem was resolved is critical. If legal action is taken against an employer, this information will be essential for defending against damaging allegations.
Adapt and Update
Even if there are policies and procedures in place, there can always be unique situations that arise which were not previously accounted for. When this happens, updating protocols and incorporating different means for corrective actions can help a business continue to learn, improve, and get better at managing employment conflicts.
Seek Legal Counsel
Managing employees, especially when there are conflicts, can be one of the most difficult and complex aspects of a business owner’s job. Despite this, it is important to have a solid handle on how to proceed when an employee conflict happens. Having an experienced attorney by your side, assisting you, can help you make the right decisions while ensuring compliance with employment laws.
Call Leiva Law Firm today at (818) 519-4465 to schedule a free consultation with a seasoned and knowledgeable business attorney who can support you and protect your legal interests.
