HANOPOL B.

MERIADO

BSHM2

HANDLING CONFLICTS

ACTIVITY

1. What are some primary causes of conflicts?

 Remember, anything that leads to a disagreement can be a cause of conflict, there are
many potential root causes of conflict at work. The following are the primary sources of
conflicts.
a. Goal incompatibility and differentiation
- It is a fairly common occurrence which occurs when departments are differentiated in
their goals.
b. Interdependence
- Describes the extent to which employees rely on other employees to get their work
done.
c. Uncertainty and Resource Scarcity
- Uncertainty gives difficulties to managers to set clear directions, and lack of clear
direction leads to conflict. Also Resource Scarcity, if there aren’t enough material and
supplies for every worker, then those who do get resources and those who don’t are
likely to experience conflict.
d. Reward System
- Competition often creates a conflict, conflict can occur between two employees, team
of employees, or between departments of an organization. Organization that set
standards for employees to achieve top ranking to raise bonuses and other forms of
rewards is a heavy competition that might incite conflicts.

2. What are the outcomes of workplace conflict? Which types of job are
the most at risk for workplace violence? Why do you think that is?

 Conflict can have both positive and negative outcomes. On the positive side, conflict can
result in greater creativity or better decisions. It includes the following:
a. Consideration of a broader range of ideas, resulting in a better, stronger idea.
b. Surfacing of assumptions that may be inaccurate.
 c. Increased participation and creativity.
d. Clarification of individual views that build learning.

On the other hand, conflict can be dysfunctional if it is excessive or involves personal attacks or
underhanded tactics. Examples of negative outcomes include the following:

a. Increased stress and anxiety among individuals, which decreases productivity and
satisfaction
b. Feelings of being defeated and demeaned, which lowers individuals’ morale and
may increase turnover.
c. A climate of mistrust, which hinders the teamwork and cooperation necessary to get
work done.

The types of job that are most at risk for workplace violence are the following:

 Dealing With People

- Caring for others either emotionally or physically, such as at a nursing home.
- Interacting with frustrated customers, such as with retail sales.
- Supervising others, such as being a manager.
- Denying requests others make of you, such as with customer service.
 Being in High-Risk Situations
- Dealing with valuables or exchanging money, such as in banking.
- Handling weapons, such as in law enforcement.
- Working with drugs, alcohol, or those under the influence of them, such as
bartending.
- Working nights or weekends, such as gas station attendants.

I think that the following are at most high risk when it comes to workplace violence because they
are the one dealing with other people that highly needed their patience and understanding to
avoid putting themselves in danger. Workplace violence commonly happens due to some
misunderstanding at workplace. Also they are prone to dangers because of the service they need
to give as pert of their jobs as front person to criminal people who will attempt to destroy the
workplace area and will harm many people.
3. What outcomes have you observed from conflict?

 Conflict has many causes, outcomes of well-managed conflict include increased

participation and creativity, while negatives of poorly managed conflict include increased
stress and anxiety. Jobs that deal with people are at higher risk for conflict. Conflict can
be a problem for individuals and organizations. Moderate conflict can be a healthy and
necessary part of organizational life. Conflict is inevitable that always giving great
tendency to disrupt the flow of productive activities in an organization. It is important to
meet the participants exactly where they are. Effectively dealing with conflict requires
the expression and management of participants’ varying perspectives, interests, belief
systems and values. There is no such thing as a conflict-free work environment.