Human Resource Intelligence Cell, Planman Consulting
Question: I am heading a production unit of an automobile company based out of Chennai. Of late, two of my employees just can’t get along. They are constantly provoking each other and complaining about the others work and behaviour. For whatever reason, they don’t like each other. They refuse to interact with each other if they can help it, but sometimes it can’t be helped. I need to resolve this before it flares up and starts to impact on other workers in the factory. How should I handle the situation? [Karan Rai, Chennai]
Ans.: Workplaces are naturally stressful environments, and personal conflicts between co-workers can be both a cause and product of this stress. Yet allowing them to build and intensify will only further impair the work environment. Different people have different perceptions, and solving workplace conflicts requires finding a common ground, not waiting until one person caves to the other. Therefore, book a meeting with both of them at a neutral place where you won’t be interrupted. If you can, meet with them individually too. Give them each up to 10-20 minutes each to say why they think there is a problem, and what they can do about it. Not what the other person can do. No interruptions, and no extra time. Then negotiate a settlement. No-one leaves the room until this is agreed. The combative employees should be told in no uncertain terms that they need to grow up and get over it. And if they can’t put aside their differences, they need to find new jobs. Don’t allow them to point the finger at each other. Force them to focus on their own behaviour and what they can each do differently to smooth over their work relationship. You can’t make them like each other, but as their employer, you can certainly expect them to be professional, work to the best of their abilities, and display a positive attitude.
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