Workplace conflicts take a toll on workers

CHICAGO, Feb. 7 (UPI) -- On Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, fists may be more prevalent than flowers at some offices, researchers who focus on workplace dynamics said Thursday.

"Much and more-deserved attention is being given to workplace hostility," said John A. Challenger, chief executive officer at the Chicago-based outplacement consultancy Challenger, Gray and Christmas.

When managers let co-worker conflicts continue, the results can be, "disastrous," he said.

A survey conducted by the Society for Human Management found personality conflicts were the cause behind 51 percent off all workplace violence.

"Incivilities can treat a toxic office environment," Challenger said.

Other researchers at the University of Washington Business School found that one disagreeable co-worker can lead to decreased group performance.

A survey of 1,400 workers conducted at the University of North Carolina measured the fallout of workplace conflict. Fifty-three percent of those surveyed said they had lost time at work and 37 percent said their commitment to their employer decreased due to conflicts with other workers. Twenty-two percent said conflict decreased their effort on the job and 12 percent said a conflict caused them to leave their jobs.

"Of course, employers cannot really mandate that workers like each other," Challenger said.