Written Case Study #2:

Read the following case study and answer the question following it.

In the last six months our department has seen a lot of change from new staff members, people leaving, and changes in production and structure taking place in a very short period of time. One very important piece of our department left us in three months ago to move onto another organization. Since his departure, we have watched his area take a nose dive in morale and teamwork

The problem is between two individuals who are fighting to be top dog. They each think that they should be able to run the facility and tell the other one what to do and how to do it. When one thinks the other isnt doing what he is supposed to, she will do it for them and then tell the acting supervisor he was supposed to do it, but I did it for him. They each are trying to get to the top of the ladder but the rest of us are just not sure what ladder they are trying to climb considering there is no ladder in that particular area. Their positions are equal and although they do have different responsibilities each day, these responsibilities were created for each of them so we can allow for the area to run smoothly each day.

These two individuals will argue about every little thing possible including not breaking down boxes for the bailer, not slicing the ham the way the other likes it, or not making the marinara sauce the way the other likes it. Once the arguing escalates, it turns into verbal aggression. Their verbal aggression has included name-calling or yelling about what the other does not do to help out or how they deal with new student interns verses those who have been around for a while.

It all came out in the open when both employees blew up and created a scene in front of a small group of student interns. Both employees were sent home for the remainder of the day to cool off and were asked to come back to work the next day afternoon so that they could sit down and talk with their supervisor and one other management team member. All the different types of conflict were brought to the table including the way they speak to each other and how it reflects on the department and how it affects the students and other employees that they work with each day. The managers explained to them that there was no reason to compete for the top, tell on each other, or be aggressive because it did not change the situation that was taking place.

They also asked each person to share what their goals were by working in this department and for their future. Each employee was given a duty list that needs to be followed each day without issue and any issues that did arise must be logged in a book and also explained to the manager. They were also given each a new project that they could take ownership of. This summer they will share their projects with the rest of the department and, if approved, the projects will be implemented.

a. In the above case study, what kinds of strategies were used to manage the conflict between these two workers?

b. Do you think they were effective? Explain and use examples from the case.

c. How might you have managed the conflict differently?