Scheinman Institute on Conflict Resolution

Recognition of the role of diversity, equity, and inclusion in workplace conflict necessitates that labor and management incorporate new approaches to managing conflict and potentially retool some existing dispute resolution methods. Panelists will illustrate a spectrum of conflict resolution processes – from restorative justice approaches to more traditional processes such as collective bargaining, grievance handling, mediation and arbitration -- and how to expand our conflict management capacity to include multiple perspectives and approaches.

Case studies and other direct experience from current manufacturing, public sector, healthcare, and non-profit sectors will be examined. The cases will be used to clarify how technology, demographics, workforce shortages, and changing consumer demand and expectation create workplace conflict. We will discuss how innovations in collective bargaining, use of labor-management committees, labor-management partnership, and new forms of internal workplace dialogue can lead to productive problem resolution. Participants will be able to take practical experience back to their workplaces.