Lesson 10: Conflict Resolution Collective Bargaining, Unionization and Employment Law

• In your blog (Reflective Journal), Record an example of conflict you experienced in your reflective journal and describe how you would handle the situation as a nurse manager?
•   A recent conflict occurred when training a new employee. The trainers felt that the trainee was not listening to them. The trainers were not creating an environment conducive to learning, as they got frustrated by the employee. Cultural differences were obvious. The trainee double checked with others, and it irritated the trainers. One trainer got mad because the trainee was acting outside of their scope of practice. One trainer got very upset and used explicit language.  The nurse manager then should interview all involved to complete a clear picture of what happened. The trainers need to be instructed to be patient with new trainee. Everyone is new sometime. The manager should follow up with the trainer and give them a verbal warning. If the problem persists then a written warning should be issued, and the manager and the employee should come up with a contract for how to fix the situation for the future. The manager then needs to follow up with all involved to ensure that all is resolved. The trainee needs a good environment to work in, as does everyone. The problem should be stopped before it is allowed to escalate into a bullying situation. If that becomes the case, then the bully will need to be fired.

• Reflection after reading: 
• I always thought that conflict was bad, it was interesting to read that it is not good or bad. I can now see why too little conflict creates stasis and how too much conflict reduces effectiveness and immobilizes employees. Conflict if handled correctly can promote growth. I think one of the reasons why there is an epidemic in the health care workplace of violence and workplace aggression is because of the high stress environment that health care has evolved to be. I think I often take the avoiding approach than a win-win situation of resolving the conflict. I would rather do it myself, then risk a fight over asking someone else to do it. 
• From what I have heard from co-workers have worked under unionized companies it is extremely unfair to the new employees. Everything in New York was based upon seniority. It is unfair to make the new nurses work every weekend; they also did not have proper staffing. If there was not a nurse to replace them, they were expected to stay. My company I work for does not promote unions, but does have a speak easy forum so issues can be brought to the attention administration.