Question

1.Identify a real or potential conflict that has occurred or could occur between employees and management in the telecom company in Goroka Eastern Highlands province.
Describe the nature of the conflict.
What caused it and who were the parties involved?
2. Explain how the telecom company in Goroka Eastern Highlands Province managed or could manage the conflict.
Use actual telecom company practices ( formal/informal grievance handling, union involvement, negotiation, etc.)
And provide APA referencing style.

Answers

GPT-4o mini
### 1. Identification of Conflict in a Telecom Company in Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province

**Nature of the Conflict:**
A real potential conflict that could occur between employees and management in a telecom company in Goroka may stem from disagreements over workload expectations and compensation. Telecom employees may feel overwhelmed by increased workloads due to company expansions or new technological implementations without corresponding adjustments in salary or benefits. This conflict can escalate if employees feel their voices are not heard regarding these changes, leading to low morale and potential strikes or high turnover rates.

**Causes of the Conflict:**
The primary causes of the conflict could include:

- **Increased Workload:** As the telecom industry evolves with technological advancements, employees may be required to learn and implement new systems rapidly. If management expects output without proper training or resources, this can lead to frustration among staff.
- **Compensation Issues:** Employees may perceive wage discrepancies or feel that overtime work is not compensated fairly, leading to dissatisfaction.
- **Lack of Communication:** If management does not provide transparent communication about company strategies and changes, employees may feel excluded from the decision-making process.

**Parties Involved:**
The parties involved in this conflict would include:

- **Employees:** Frontline technicians and customer service representatives who are directly affected by workload and compensation issues.
- **Management:** The administrative team responsible for decision-making, policy formulation, and employee relations.
- **Union Representatives:** If employees are unionized, their representatives would likely be involved in negotiating disputes with management.

### 2. Conflict Management Strategies in the Telecom Company

**Conflict Management Approaches:**

The telecom company in Goroka could manage this conflict through a combination of strategies, including:

1. **Formal Grievance Handling:**
- **Establishment of Grievance Procedures:** The company can implement a formal grievance procedure where employees can voice their concerns about workplace conditions and compensation without fear of retaliation. This process should be transparent, allowing employees to understand how their grievances will be addressed.

2. **Union Involvement:**
- **Collaboration with Unions:** If employees are organized under a union, management should work closely with union leaders to negotiate reasonable work conditions and compensation adjustments. Regular meetings can help facilitate a collaborative approach to conflict resolution and help ensure employees feel represented.

3. **Negotiation:**
- **Employee Negotiation Forums:** Creating a structured communication platform, such as regular employee forums or town hall meetings, can provide a safe space for employees to express their concerns directly to management.
- **Collective Bargaining:** The management could engage in collective bargaining sessions with employee representatives to negotiate wage increases, benefits, and workload expectations.

4. **Training and Development:**
- **Providing Resources and Training:** Investing in training programs to help employees adapt to new technologies and work expectations can mitigate feelings of being overwhelmed. Management should also provide resources that facilitate better workflow and efficiency.

5. **Feedback Mechanisms:**
- **Implementing Feedback Mechanisms:** Regular surveys or feedback sessions can help management gauge employee satisfaction and address emerging issues before they escalate into bigger conflicts.

By employing these strategies, the telecom company in Goroka can work towards creating a more collaborative and less adversarial work environment, ultimately improving employee satisfaction and reducing the likelihood of conflict.

### References

APA referencing for workplace conflict management practices may include:

- Raines, S. S. (2016). *Managing Workplace Conflict: A Step-by-Step Guide*. Business Expert Press.
- Rahim, M. A. (2010). *Managing Conflict in Organizations*. Transaction Publishers.
- Folger, J. P., Poole, M. S., & Stutman, R. K. (2017). *Working Through Conflict: Strategies for Relationships, Groups, and Organizations*. Pearson.

**Note:** These references are examples; real citations would need to be sourced and validated from applicable literature and databases.