Third Party Conflict Resolution

Third Party Conflict Resolution

Introduction -

The responsibility of managers are to manage any dilemmas that occur in the workplace. Conflicts are issues that managers must resolve to ensure a safe environment. Seatcor Manufacturing Company is a major producer of office furniture. As senior Vice President of Operations and Chief Operating Officer of Seatcor, resolution of conflicts is a major responsibility.

Vice President and General Manager of the desk assembly plant, Joe Gibbons, dedicated 38 years to Seatcor. Joe is a personal friend who surrounds himself with minimally competent employees instead of talented assistants. Joe's assistant Vice President, Charles Stewart is a 39-year-old, tenacious and intelligent business school graduate. He joined Seatcor on my insistence because Joe has two years remaining until retirement. Charles is the ideal candidate to replace Joe after retirement but this prediction may not occur.

A recent conflict between the two employees arose. During lunch with Charles, it was brought to attention that Joe Gibbons is in the process of the completion of a five-year plan for his plant. Charles is excluded in this plan, which was disturbing. The uninvolvement of the planning is affecting Charles' relationship with Joe and his work ethics. For Charles to eventually evolve into Joe's position, Joe must support and properly train Charles.

Joe makes reasonable judgment and may have a good reason for his exclusion of Charles. This dispute can be resolved by following a mediation guide. Mediation consists of four steps that will allow the feuding parties to settle an agreement. An agreement that both sides will find satisfaction. The steps include; stabilizing the setting, assisting in the parties communication, guiding the parties to negotiation, and lastly clarifying the agreement of the parties.

The introduction and explanation of mediation occurs in the first step of the process. Anger and frustration are natural during this first stage preliminary calming will be required. Charles and Joe may have difficulty communicating productively unless the mediator gains trust from each party. Charles and Joe must feel comfortable enough to communicate their side one at a time to get the actual message that needs to be communicated. Maintaining a polite, neutral, and non-biased environment will stabilize the setting to help the parties communicate.

To help the parties communicate a meeting is set up for them to express their concerns. The intention of this cooperative communication is the clarification of the disputant's expectation of their working relationship. The first disputant to speak is Charles. He presents his interpretation of his assignment into the department. Charles expects that total involvement in processes in the department is crucial to meeting the department's goals.