Resolving Workplace Conflicts: General - Excessive Time on Telephone (PDF)

Conflict tends to have a negative connotation based on our experiences, but it does not have to be this way. When we seek to understand, we communicate that we care enough to work through difficult situations and determine how to make things better to reduce stress, promote communication and enhance teamwork.

In this situation, conflict is created when one team member spends excessive amounts of time on personal telephone calls, while other team members are diligent about being productive during the workday. If this behavior goes unaddressed, the productivity of other team members is impacted negatively and tension builds among the team members negatively impacting communication, cooperation and morale. Additionally, when unaddressed, this becomes costly and reflects negatively on management.

With this tool you get the following:

•  The effects excessive amounts of personal time spent on the phone on the team.
•  Considerations for why the individual is spending the time on the phone.
•  Potential advantages this individual brings to the workplace.
•  Numerous recommendations/suggestions for improvement.
•  Ideas for negotiating/adjusting solutions.
•  Potential barriers and ways to overcome them to achieve resolution.
•  Implementation timeframe.
•  Follow-up review commitments.

Additionally, we provide a blank, editable Conflict Resolution Worksheet and the Worksheet Guidelines providing a step-by-step process for addressing your own workplace conflicts.