Conflict Identification and Resolution

Running head: CONFLICT IDENTIFICATION AND RESOLUTION

Conflict Identification and Resolution

Crystal M Jackson

Ashford University

Organizational Behavior (NAB1425A)

Professor:  Vanessa Washington

July 3, 2014

Write a four- to five-page paper (excluding title and reference pages) assessing the components of conflict. The following need to be addressed within your paper:

a. Describe a.

b. Identify and describe the source(s) and level of the conflict and support with evidence.

c. Describe the steps taken to resolve the conflict or, if it is an ongoing conflict, propose steps to resolve the conflict.

d. Describe a minimum of three conflict outcomes that could reasonably occur as a result of the conflict resolution. Support your reasoning for each possible outcome.

We live in a very complex and culturally diverse society. When we bring individuals together from diverse backgrounds in a work environment conflict can arise when expectations are not realized or met. Rather than hoping conflict will go away, this paper will explore and identify the reasons for conflict and how to successfully address them in a team environment.

I was involved in a conflict a my current employer Charter Communications. In January, 2011, I spoke with my manager, Bob, about a situation of harassment from a co-worker, Gabriel. I asked Bob for his assistance to find a practical solution to stop the name-calling and he said that he would. The name-calling had begun almost a year before when one day Gabriel just said what I thought was Simon Felix and everyone in the office laughed. Gabriel is constantly bursting out in a song or folly so I just ignored it. The next week he said Simon Felix and everyone laughed again. But this time he asked me if I know who Simon Felix was and I said No. He said it was Wesley Snipes in Demolition man”. The next week James, Dispatch Lead was sitting with me at my desk when I received an email from Gabriel. The email contained only a picture of Wesley Snipes with blonde hair, Simon Phoenix. Having never seen Simon Phoenix, I burst out in laughter. Was this Gabriel’s persistent attempt to make fun of me simply because I am an African American with blonde hair? It was a culturally insensitive gesture and senseless so I simply replied “Stupid” and hoped that would be the end of it. Shortly thereafter the SRO group including Gabriel was moved to another room and there had been limited contact between Gabriel and myself.

A couple of months ago, the Special Request Order (SRO) group were moved back onto the main dispatch area and the name calling started again. The first time I walked into work after the move Gabriel shouted “Simon Phoenix”. Natalie, an over-night router remarked, “she doesn’t have green eyes”. And I plainly asked “and that’s the only difference you see?” On Saturday when I walked past Gabriel’s desk he again shouted “Simon Phoenix”. And I said “Gabriel Stop, that’s not my name”. Gabriel turned to Rafael a co-worker in the SRO group and said “Hey Raff, that ain’t her name”. Rafael laughed and said “Simon Phoenix”.

Becoming frustrated annoyed and not seeing a practical resolve to an increasingly hostile environment, I was prompted to go to my manager for assistance. Bob, Dispatch Manager did come to me a couple of weeks ago and say that the situation had been handled. However since that time the situation has actually escalated. I over heard a co-worker, say that I was trying to get Gabriel fired. And Gabriel rolls his eyes at me every time I past his desk. And I have to repeatedly ask my supervisor and co-workers not to touch me and not to push me when passing my desk.

In the past, I’ve stated to my supervisor and other dispatchers (mainly on Saturday) that I do not participate in their games with dart guns. I have made repeated request that they avoid my cubicle area when shooting or throwing darts and other toys. However, I’m ostracized due to my request and repeatedly being hit with darts and other toys. At this point I’ve had to make a conscience choice to speak out in an effort to be treated with dignity and reported the incident to Human Resources.

Describe a minimum of three conflict outcomes that could reasonably occur as a result of the conflict resolution. Our text states that “An employee who succeeds gains additional valence from the actual achievement, in terms of self-efficacy and positive self-regard” (Baack, 2012, section 5.2).

Reference:

Baack, D. (2012).  Organizational behavior . San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.

Langer, N. (2012). Who Moved My Cheese? Adjusting to Age-Related Changes. Educational Gerontology, 38(7), 459-464. doi:10.1080/03601277.2011.559860