Conflict in the workplace, new research

BIS has recently commissioned research on workplace conflict, and although the current available research documents appear to be mainly based in the USA, the behaviours and psychology are not that different, and comparisons can be made with the UK.  It can be found here.

The survey finds that the majority of people who report that they have problems at work are female, younger, and have a short tenure in that particular workplace. Those that then go on to make a claim at an Employment Tribunal tend to be male, older and have longer tenure in the workplace.

Why is it that the group of people most likely to experience problems in the workplace is not necessarily the group that will continue the process through to an Employment Tribunal?

Those with less tenure are least likely to get a compensation award at an Employment Tribunal and may not think it is worth the personal stress and risk of making a claim. Equally those who report problems at work may not have easy access to appropriate advice about employment issues, or even know how to access it.

Older, male employees have more to lose following conflict in the workplace, particularly when they have longer tenure, and their chances of becoming re-employed are lower. But they are likely to get a higher compensation award if they win at ET, which makes the gamble of going to an ET more attractive to them.

The research indicates that employees usually try and resolve their issues within the workplace rather than accessing external support. However, there seems to be reluctance for employers and employees to engage in workplace mediation, even though the survey evidence suggests that both are open to mediation as a concept.

The most frequent discrimination claims were for sex discrimination and they were mostly made by women, although Hardwick’s experience is that there is no distinction between the sexes or ages in a willingness to make an ET claim.

This topic is also addressed in the Hardwick HR Blog