Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
    • Advertise
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Wellbeing
    • Recruitment & retention
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Maternity & paternity
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • XpertHR
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Pricing
    • Free trial
    • Subscribe
    • XpertHR USA
  • Webinars
  • OHW+

Personnel Today

Register
Log in
Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
    • Advertise
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Wellbeing
    • Recruitment & retention
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Maternity & paternity
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • XpertHR
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Pricing
    • Free trial
    • Subscribe
    • XpertHR USA
  • Webinars
  • OHW+

Employee relationsMediation

Weekly dilemma: professional jealousy

by Personnel Today 24 Jan 2006
by Personnel Today 24 Jan 2006

I am an HR director of a large creative agency. We have two members of staff who are both hugely creative and are each critical to the reputation and success of the organisation. Unfortunately, there is a huge amount of professional jealousy between them, which has led to ongoing temper tantrums and backstabbing. It is at the stage where they refuse to be in the same room and the situation is in danger of causing a company-wide rift. What is the best way of resolving this before it becomes more entrenched?

This can be a common problem in the workplace, and the prime issue here is to clarify whether both people are willing to consider mediation and be prepared to engage in the process. Initially this can be hard, as it will involve acknowledging that there is a problem and being willing to look at solutions together.

Identify whether there are any other people who are decision-makers, as ideally they should be involved in the process for any solutions to work.

Once this stage is reached, ensure all parties are aware of the consequences:



  • if they mediate and reach agreement.
  • if they mediate and do not reach agreement.
  • if they do not mediate.

The parties need to know what, if any, records will be kept on their personnel files – it is recommended no records are kept so that the informal, voluntary nature of mediation is upheld and a win-win outcome may be achieved.

Consider offering the two employees some individual support such as personal counselling via an employee assistance programme, counselling service or coaching, to ensure they are supported at a more personal level.

Managers should reiterate how highly the organisation values both individuals and then highlight the ripple effect their behaviour is having on the organisation. This will ensure that they understand the sincerity with which mediation is being offered and the fact that the organisation does not want to lose either person.

Marilyn Appleton, mediation practice leader, Right Corecare

Each week we ask the experts to answer your legal dilemmas. If you have a legal question or dilemma, e-mail [email protected]

Avatar
Personnel Today

previous post
Public sector pensions cost UK households £250 a year
next post
Pensions changes prompt strikes by a million workers

You may also like

BT workers vote for strike action over pay

1 Jul 2022

Royal Mail managers vote to strike over restructure

30 Jun 2022

Postal workers and doctors threaten strikes over pay

28 Jun 2022

Heathrow-based cabin crew set for 18% pay rise

28 Jun 2022

British Airways employees at Heathrow vote for walkouts

24 Jun 2022

Government to repeal agency workers ban during strikes

23 Jun 2022

Rail strike: PM calls for pay compromise to...

21 Jun 2022

‘General strike’ threat looms as unions voice pay...

20 Jun 2022

The heat is on and so is some...

17 Jun 2022

Rail strike: Shapps hints again at repeal of...

17 Jun 2022
  • The ultimate guide to payroll for small businesses PROMOTED | You’ve started a business that has expanded to the point of requiring more staff to meet demand. Congratulations!...Read more
  • NSPCC revamps its learning strategy with child wellbeing at its heart PROMOTED | The NSPCC’s mission is to prevent abuse and neglect...Read more
  • Diversity versus inclusion: Why the difference matters PROMOTED | It’s possible for an environment to be diverse, but not inclusive...Read more
  • Five steps for organisations across the globe to become more skills-driven PROMOTED | The shift in the world of work has been felt across the globe...Read more
  • The future of workforce development PROMOTED | Northumbria University and partners share insight...Read more

Personnel Today Jobs
 

Search Jobs

PERSONNEL TODAY

About us
Contact us
Browse all HR topics
Email newsletters
Content feeds
Cookies policy
Privacy policy
Terms and conditions

JOBS

Personnel Today Jobs
Post a job
Why advertise with us?

EVENTS & PRODUCTS

The Personnel Today Awards
The RAD Awards
Employee Benefits
Forum for Expatriate Management
OHW+
Whatmedia

ADVERTISING & PR

Advertising opportunities
Features list 2022

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin


© 2011 - 2022 DVV Media International Ltd

Personnel Today
  • Home
    • All PT content
    • Advertise
  • Email sign-up
  • Topics
    • HR Practice
    • Employee relations
    • Equality, diversity and inclusion
    • Learning & training
    • Pay & benefits
    • Wellbeing
    • Recruitment & retention
    • HR strategy
    • HR Tech
    • The HR profession
    • Global
    • All HR topics
  • Legal
    • Case law
    • Commentary
    • Flexible working
    • Legal timetable
    • Maternity & paternity
    • Shared parental leave
    • Redundancy
    • TUPE
    • Disciplinary and grievances
    • Employer’s guides
  • AWARDS
    • Personnel Today Awards
    • The RAD Awards
  • Jobs
    • Find a job
    • Jobs by email
    • Careers advice
    • Post a job
  • XpertHR
    • Learn more
    • Products
    • Pricing
    • Free trial
    • Subscribe
    • XpertHR USA
  • Webinars
  • OHW+