Office politics....grrrrrrrrr

Two of my team have recently fallen out. As there are only 5 of us including me it makes big waves. We are simply too busy for all this bitching. It all started when one was doing some overtime and did some of the other's job. It was probably in the spirit of helping out and getting things done but the other has a sensitivity about it. Anyway they now don't speak to each other. What's so irritating is that they each are very good at what they do, and they each have terrific strengths and I don't want to lose either of them, and what was a very happy environment now has an atmosphere.

It is so tiresome - I've got enough to do without all this distraction. I didn't have formal job descriptions but I can see that I'm going to have to spell it all out.

**Sigh**

Being a slightly insensitive bloke I tend to wade in and shout, but I don't think that'll get me very far. Just wondering how others have handled similar situations?

FIGHT,FIGHT,FIGHT

simmerler thing happened where i work, 3 peeps went for promotion & the new kid got it ,so the other 2 that had been there a few years were ****ed off they tried to get everone "on there side" & make it hard for her.........but 3 months down the road it seems to have sorted its self out.

mybe give it a week or 2 & see how it goes?

[fizzwheel]

Its difficult.

I'd be inclined to talk to them both induvidually and find out what the problem actually is. If you can fix it there and then after talking to them both seperatly all well and good. If you can't you'll need to get them to talk to each other with you as a mediator. Ask them to be frank and honest, but not to make personal attacks and see if you can bring the problem out into the open with the pair of them and then work together to sort it out and clear the air.

Failing that you just need to tell them in simple terms that you won't tolerate anymore nonsense from the pair of them and that they need to find a way to work together. But try the more gentle approach first. At the end of the day we go to work to work, not to be best buddies with everybody in the office. If they are being civil to each other and the works getting done. Then maybe thats the best you can hope for.

Unless you HAVE to involve yourself then let time run its course. I also work in a small office (3 of us) .... It is very difficult because any disagreements very quickly become personal. If you involve yourself you will be accussed of favouring etc. Just sit tight.

If it doesn't sort itself and do have to get involved, just bang their heads together and tell them they are equally pathetic and upseting the rest of the workforce.

I do think maybe job descriptions could help, I know its more work for you, but at least everyone knows where they stand, which is only fair really. It doesn't have to be very complicated, just a summary of requirements from each member of staff?

Maybe they could write their own job descriptions, briefly, for you to then comfirm/or not, file and review occasionally . Would highlight for you where their responsibilites overlap and possibly why there is confusion? Good luck!

time is a great healer, they will get over it.

This is a bit new age, softly-softly american claptrap but stick with it.

Explain to them that you understand they have issues and make sure they understand you have no desire to interfere in any personal space, that your resolution is purely workplace related.

Ask them to stand shoulder to shoulder facing you. Stand in front of them and put your hands on each of their outside shoulders and make eye contact with each in turn, then place your hands on the outside ear of each worker.

Now bang their heads together hard and tell them if there is any more pish from either one of them they'll both get their cards.

Gotta agree with Tomcat

being in an office with only four women i would let it run its course if you wade in then your gonna upset one of them and that will cause resentment

just let it lie for a bit and then have words with them individually explain that its a small office and that there is an atmosphere and its not acceptable to a Client facing company

Tara

Are they male or female?

Sad to say but generally speaking women will tend to bitch and hold a grudge longer than men - but if brought together under your mediation are also more likely to spill it all out and end up all huggy with each other.

If they are men, take em both down the pub for a long Friday 'lunch' and sort it over a macho pint.

If one's a man and the other is a woman - you're screwed mate, as neither is ever going to understand the point of view of the other - so depending on your sexual orientation, fire one of them.

[timwilky]

I am guessing that by being touchy like this, that your staff are of the female variety.

One woman who used to work for me, said she could not work in a predominately female office as she prefered letching to bitching.

I suppose I am lucky, my female staff have always been in the minority. Statistically somebody in your office Ed is in a bad mood every week.

Talk about making a rod for your own back. Sort it out by sacking them both and replace them with normal blokes who talk about birds, beer and bikes. At least that way you will be able to join in the office conversation

I'm SO going to crease up if it turns out they're both blokes.