Workplace Conflict and Stress: Effects and Solutions

It’s important to avoid shouting at work. Research from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) found that one in four employees in the UK was involved in a workplace conflict last year. Common issues included challenging authority or competence, humiliation, shouting, heated arguments, verbal abuse, insults, and discriminatory behavior. The CIPD recommended that employers address the root causes of conflict, such as poor management practices and excessive workloads. Employees who experienced conflict reported lower job satisfaction and more frequent health problems, both mental and physical.

A study published in Personnel Psychology involved 360 participants who assessed an imaginary colleague boasting about experiencing high-stress levels at work. The results of the experiment showed that this practice can have negative consequences in the workplace. Coworkers perceived such a person as less liked and less competent, and were less likely to help them when they needed it. Discussing frequent stress can normalize stress in the workplace, which co workers might not tolerate. If someone feels stressed, they should choose the right person to talk to about it.