Conflict Resolution: How to Handle it in the Workplace

As a department manager it is my duty to make sure that my team of employees are doing their work to the best of their abilities and getting along. Once I noticed that one of my employees work was sloppy, I felt that I had to address the situation in a professional manner. I was also starting to receive numerous complaints from customers and his co-workers. Susan Heathfield, from About.com: Human Resources, points out that you can not avoid conflict in the workplace, hoping it will disappear. “An unresolved conflict or interpersonal disagreement festers just under the surface in your work environment. It burbles to the surface whenever enabled, and always at the worst possible moment,” (2010, pg. 1).
I pulled Mr. Smith into my office to address all of the complaints, and his lack of effort on the job. I began telling him that I have appreciated his hard work for the past two years. When you are giving someone bad news, it is not always a good idea to pile the negative information on them. You want to be understanding, but effective at the same time. I would then start to explain to him that I was noticing that he was not giving the same effort that he use to. I notice that his work ethic has been going down hill for the past couple of months. Not only have I notice a difference in his work ethic, but so have his co-workers. I would want him to understand that the team needed him. If he was not getting along with his co-workers, then this affects the team as a whole. The next point that I want to make is that the customers are not happy with his customer service. I would ask Mr. Smith, what seems to be the problem?
One conflict resolution technique that I would use, according to E.A. Lewis Consulting, is to listen attentively. He explains that you may need to let the person vent to get their frustrations off of their mind and listen. I would give Mr. Smith the opportunity to tell me what he has been thinking, and feeling, for the last couple of months. A good manager would hear how their employees feel and what their frustrations are.
Once I have heard Mr. Smith’s side of the story, I would present him with a contract and explain what is in the contract. I would let him know that I expect for him to pick up his workload and to work as hard as he use to. He needs to treat the customers with more respect and kindness. He would also need to make sure that he worked as a team member and respect his co-workers. No matter what is going on in his personal life, he needs to leave it outside of the office. If Mr. Smith agrees to these terms, he will sign the contract and improve his work ethics. If he fails to meet the terms in his contract, then he will be terminated.

INTERNET: WHAT WOULD LIFE BE WITHOUT IT

The Internet is one of the most important technologies in my life, among many others. The Internet is used for my bill paying, going to school full time, applying for jobs, fixing my resume, and researching products for my baby. I know I definitely could not live without the Internet, what about you? The Internet has been beneficial in so many lives and makes being a single mother and going to school a lot easier. It is already hard to do both, but it gives people like me another chance to succeed in life. There are so many things that can be accomplished on the Internet. If you want to know the best car seat to buy for your baby, you can go to consumerreports.com. This site is used for everything for babies and even to find the best vehicle. You can use the Internet to find the closest zoo and get directions. The Internet is not only good for locating day cares, getting directions, or finding a vehicle. It is also the new way to communicate. People no longer pick up the phone and call each other anymore, they chat online, send text messages through Facebook, and even post blogs. Now-a-days people exchange emails if they want to communicate. This is the kind of world that we live in now. We can even locate people we haven't seen or heard from in years. Most likely they have a Myspace account or a Facebook account. That is the only way I am able to keep in contact with my friends from college, who live in Florida. I recently found my Aunt that I have not seen, or heard from, in eight years. In order to live in 2010 and the future to come, you have to do it with the Internet.

Wii: WHAT MORE CAN I SAY

Nintendo has done it again, but can I say that they have hit the jackpot this time: CHA CHING!! The Wii game system is the newest game system that has hit the nation by storm. It is the first game system that you can play by using your entire body as a controller. The Wii comes with its own set of games that include activities such as golf, tennis, bowling, baseball, and boxing. All of these games involve the person the get up off of the couch and participate using their entire body. This game is great for the entire family and a good form of exercise. You can also purchase other games for the Wii. Wii has its own line of fitness games also. Wii Fitness includes running and yoga. There is a yoga mat that comes with the game and it lets you know if you are moving improperly. Running also includes a mat, that you run on, and it shows you scenery on the screen. What better way for you and your family to stay fit and have quality time together. The game that I enjoy the most is the family game night. This includes board games but on the television screen. You can play Monopoly, Clue, or Sorry to name a few. You have to give it up to Nintendo, they really out did themselves this time.

HDTV: THE NEW GENERATION

High Definition Television swept this nation and took television to another level. Cable companies even started switching over to High Definition cable. When the HD television was first introduced, not everyone was willing to switch from there regular televisions because it was very expensive, but like everything else, HD television prices started becoming reasonable. People would have game night at their houses so they could capture the "realness" that was on the screen. High Definition television differs from regular television. The quality of the picture is a lot clearer than a regular television set. It gives you a sense of reality. It makes you feel as if you are bringing the action into your living room. I remember watching the news and realizing how graphic the reporters face was and how real the story was that they were talking about. Nothing is better than gathering your snacks and watching your favorite team play football on your HDTV!!! This definitely makes you feel as if you are in the stadium and cheering them on. It makes you think what is going to be the next big technology discovery!!