Reducing Drama, Social Conflict, & Negative Behaviors in the

Prevention • Identify potential issues that may stir up conflict • Praise employee’s strengths and give positive feedback • Identify employee’s weaknesses in managing conflict and help with best practices • Address the situation immediately • Model appropriate behavior when working in teams • Avoid gossiping or spreading rumors

Intervention • Separate employees from the situation as soon as possible • Document the incident • Encourage employees to talk about the situation and try to find some resolution • Listen to what employees are saying o Listen to both sides (perpetrator and victim) to get the full story o Talk to employees one-on-one: let them see what behaviors/conflicts they are causing and the effects it can have on the o Speak to individuals versus the entire group to reduce “taking sides” • De-escalate conflict and negative behaviors: o Encourage employees to take a , walk away, take a deep breath, remove themselves from the situation • Follow up to address conflict and negative behaviors: o Role play or brainstorm conflict situations with employees and let them come up with strategies for future prevention/coping strategies • Tell the employees not to respond right away to conflict situations • Tell employees that removing themselves from a situation and not responding sometimes solves the drama or bullying • Increase respect and team building • Increase dignity in the workplace o Defining people as 3 dimensional versus 1 dimensional • Develop a program

Education • Educate employees about the different negative social behaviors o , rumors, and drama o and threats o Abuse of power • Talk to employees about respect • Give employees suggestions on how to make work a friendly environment • Instill policies, standards, rules, and procedures • Don’t call employees bullies: stay away from labeling the employees • Implement Structure-Repetition-Consistency in your workplace bullying policy

www.peagramconsulting.com [email protected]