COMBATING CONFLICT IN THE WORKPLACE: THE CONTENT AND EFFECT OF A CONFLICT MANAGEMENT AND ASSERTIVENESS TRAINING PROGRAMME
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15270/45-4-189Abstract
Conflict and bullying in the workplace remain issues that employers tend to sweep under theproverbial carpet, partly because of the stigma involved and partly because of their own doubt
about how the problem should be addressed (Anon., 2001:1-2; Beswick, Gore & Palferman,
2006:1, 21-25; Dijkstra, Van Dierendonck & Evers, 2005:119-121; Simpson, 2001:1-6). The
tendency has been either to ignore the problem or, at most, minimise its consequences. These
consequences more often than not take the form of high levels of stress amongst employees or
high absenteeism and staff turnover rates, or both. The current dominant approach is in many
respects akin to blaming the victim and closing the door after the horse has bolted (Dijkstra et
al., 2005:119-121; Kennedy, 2004:1-3).
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