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Workplace conflicts take a toll on workersPosted on February 7, 2008
from Staff Reports
On Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, fists may be more prevalent than flowers at some offices, researchers who focus on workplace dynamics said Thursday.
"Much and more-deserved attention is being given to workplace hostility," said John A. Challenger, chief executive officer at the Chicago-based outplacement consultancy Challenger, Gray and Christmas.
When managers let co-worker conflicts continue, the results can be, "disastrous," he said.
A survey conducted by the Society for Human Management found personality conflicts were the cause behind 51 percent off all workplace violence.
"Incivilities can treat a toxic office environment," Challenger said.
Other researchers at the University of Washington Business School found that one disagreeable co-worker can lead to decreased group performance.
A survey of 1,400 workers conducted at the University of North Carolina measured the fallout of workplace conflict. Fifty-three percent of those surveyed said they had lost time at work and 37 percent said their commitment to their employer decreased due to conflicts with other workers. Twenty-two percent said conflict decreased their effort on the job and 12 percent said a conflict caused them to leave their jobs.
"Of course, employers cannot really mandate that workers like each other," Challenger said.
Copyright 2008 by United Press International
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