Conflict between the Functions of Human Resources

What is conflict?

Conflict is a natural disagreement resulting from individuals or

groups that differ in attitudes, beliefs, values or needs. Conflict

exists in organisations because, by their very nature, organisations

require social interaction between people with different goals,

values, and backgrounds. Recent structural, economic and philosophical

changes in the world of work have escalated the likelihood and level

of conflict within the workplace organisations.

Distinctions must be made, though between positive and negative

aspects of conflict in the workplace. If constructively managed

conflict may lead to clearer ideas and increased organisational

effectiveness. If unchecked, however conflict may become unduly

disruptive.

Human Resource Planning:

Human resource planning is concerned with getting the right people,

using them well and developing them in order to meet the goals of the

organisation. Conflict may arise when deciding who are the right

people to chose, and the skills and competences they will need to help

the company to meet their objectives. Especially if there is more than

one person involved in the decision making peoples opinions may differ

and this may cause conflict over the final decision.

They are also concerned with strategies and future plans for the

organisation again people may feel their strategy is more suited to

the company while others feel the opposite and again conflict arises.

This department is linked with recruitment and selection because as

pointed out this dept needs the right people to carry out their task

of getting employees to meet the organisations goals. Conflict between

these departments may arise if recruitment and selection are not

recruiting the right person which wastes time and money and disables

this department because this dept cannot go on to develop people if

they are not right for the job in the first place.

Recruitment and selection:

This department can incur quite high costs and conflict may arise when

decisions are made on how much of the budget should be spent and the

most appropriate and cost effective way to spend it. For example

‘advertising’ decisions are to be made on how and when to advertise.

Also when deciding on what the jobs that are to be recruited for will

entail, judging which applications best meet the criteria set down for

the post and finally selecting the best candidate for the post all of

these factors include decision making and decision making between a

group of people can often lead to conflict when disagreements between

them arise.

Performance management:

Conflict may arise when deciding the best techniques to use to manage

employees also how much employees should be paid in relation to

performance – related pay. Also after hearing feedback from employees

should and what requests they have made be granted.