CONFLICT RESOLUTION
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Focus on four HR areas to overcome generational conflict:
1. Changing human resources policies/ corporate philosophies: Though generational conflict in the workplace is inevitable, organizations and individuals can work to limit conflict and, in many cases, make conflict an opportunity for future growth in companies’ cultures. Conflict resolution is divided into two aspects: HR solutions and redesigning the physical workplace. In the HR aspect, the first solution is to change the human resource policies and corporate philosophies (Bennett, Pitt, & Price, 2012). The mission statement is used to ingrain universal understanding. It is important for corporations to acknowledge such challenges because this enables employees to understand what to expect and what is expected of them. This helps build a trusting relationship between organizations and employees. Additionally, mission statements present a common goal therefore, no individual would feel left out or confused. Employees feel more accepted, which acts as guidance for workplace acceptance of diversity.
2. Ensuring an environment of effective communication: Technology has changed the way people communicate; individuals spend more time communicating through e-mail and instant messaging rather than face-to-face communication (Glass, 2007). This change poses opportunities and challenges to the effectiveness of communication among different generations in the workforce. An organization must find optimal ways to pass on information. For example, considering the Nexters—the high-tech generation—the most effective way to communicate with these individuals is through the company’s website or blog. This method of communication gives a “loose sense of company culture while still managed by the leadership of the firm” (Glass, 2007, p. 102),
3. Incorporating collaborative decision-making: Everyone should have a say in the decision-making. This process heavily depends on direct, honest and sensitive feedback from each individual. Problem solving is one of the best methods to use for this challenge.
4. Developing internal training program that focuses on the generational differences: Mentorship programs for both mentors and mentees is used to support the transition of knowledge and also to enhance the generational understanding among generations. Individuals from each generation will recognize the value of other. Through this program, the two-way relationship between generations will be highlighted. There will be more added to this part.
Beside the HR solution, the physical workspace also plays an important role to help enhancing communication among employees. By building a more efficient workspace, an organization can help employees connect with one another in a more personal level. An office design that allows efficiency should be considered as an asset rather than a liability. There are four key design principles should be considered to build a more efficient office space: supporting mobility, fostering collaboration, taking advantage of technology and adapting the company’s HR culture and structure. The workspace should be able to accommodate the need of individuals and help them to communicate directly as a team. Due to the diversity of teams in nowadays workplace, the office space should be tailored to present and utilize such diversity so that each team can utilize its strength. Due to the rise of technology and virtual workspace, workplace can take place anywhere, at anytime. This change brings a new meaning to the physical workplace. It is no longer a place where people come to work, but rather “an opportunity for people when present, to signify personal involvement in organizational culture and to participate in the values and beliefs of the organization”.
1. Changing human resources policies/ corporate philosophies: Though generational conflict in the workplace is inevitable, organizations and individuals can work to limit conflict and, in many cases, make conflict an opportunity for future growth in companies’ cultures. Conflict resolution is divided into two aspects: HR solutions and redesigning the physical workplace. In the HR aspect, the first solution is to change the human resource policies and corporate philosophies (Bennett, Pitt, & Price, 2012). The mission statement is used to ingrain universal understanding. It is important for corporations to acknowledge such challenges because this enables employees to understand what to expect and what is expected of them. This helps build a trusting relationship between organizations and employees. Additionally, mission statements present a common goal therefore, no individual would feel left out or confused. Employees feel more accepted, which acts as guidance for workplace acceptance of diversity.
2. Ensuring an environment of effective communication: Technology has changed the way people communicate; individuals spend more time communicating through e-mail and instant messaging rather than face-to-face communication (Glass, 2007). This change poses opportunities and challenges to the effectiveness of communication among different generations in the workforce. An organization must find optimal ways to pass on information. For example, considering the Nexters—the high-tech generation—the most effective way to communicate with these individuals is through the company’s website or blog. This method of communication gives a “loose sense of company culture while still managed by the leadership of the firm” (Glass, 2007, p. 102),
3. Incorporating collaborative decision-making: Everyone should have a say in the decision-making. This process heavily depends on direct, honest and sensitive feedback from each individual. Problem solving is one of the best methods to use for this challenge.
4. Developing internal training program that focuses on the generational differences: Mentorship programs for both mentors and mentees is used to support the transition of knowledge and also to enhance the generational understanding among generations. Individuals from each generation will recognize the value of other. Through this program, the two-way relationship between generations will be highlighted. There will be more added to this part.
Beside the HR solution, the physical workspace also plays an important role to help enhancing communication among employees. By building a more efficient workspace, an organization can help employees connect with one another in a more personal level. An office design that allows efficiency should be considered as an asset rather than a liability. There are four key design principles should be considered to build a more efficient office space: supporting mobility, fostering collaboration, taking advantage of technology and adapting the company’s HR culture and structure. The workspace should be able to accommodate the need of individuals and help them to communicate directly as a team. Due to the diversity of teams in nowadays workplace, the office space should be tailored to present and utilize such diversity so that each team can utilize its strength. Due to the rise of technology and virtual workspace, workplace can take place anywhere, at anytime. This change brings a new meaning to the physical workplace. It is no longer a place where people come to work, but rather “an opportunity for people when present, to signify personal involvement in organizational culture and to participate in the values and beliefs of the organization”.