Training and education in conflict and dispute resolution can give you a real "edge" when it comes to your career! Conflict is a costly and often mishandled phenomenon in the workplace, and employers want to hire people with specific skills and experience managing conflicts effectively.
- Conflict at work costs employers thousands of management hours each year. “Managing conflict at work, including disciplinary and grievance cases and preparing for employment tribunals, costs the average employer nearly 450 days of management time every year—equivalent to the time of two managers full time.” (Management Services, 2005).
- Managers spend 24%-60% of their time dealing with conflicts. (Guttman, 2009; CareerBuilder, 2009).
- Only 31% of managers felt skilled at dealing with conflict, and only 22% of employees felt that their managers dealt with conflict well. (CPP, 2008).
- Mishandled work conflicts = lost work time, decreased commitment to the employer, and decreased productivity. (Takeuchi Cullen, 2008).
- Conflicts have many serious consequences at work (CPP, 2008).
- 85% of employees have to deal with conflict; 29% do so frequently.
- Employees spend an average of 2.8 hours/week addressing workplace conflict (apx. $359 billion in paid hours in 2008).
- 33% of employees said conflicts have lead to personal injury or attacks.
- 22% said that conflict has led to illness or absence from work.
- "The ability to mitigate conflicts between co-workers has been identified as one of the top qualities employers are looking for."(Collegiate Employment Research Institute 2007)
- According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) 2011 Job Outlook Survey, communication skills are the most desired characteristic employers are seeking in new college graduates. This is followed closely by the ability to work as a team member.
- “Why Seek a Conflict Management Graduate Certificate? Individuals with a graduate certificate in conflict management can choose from a variety of applications in a number of related arenas including arbitration, domestic relations, international conflict management, healthcare dispute management, and many other highly-specialized fields. Certified graduates are also leading candidates for advancement and salary increase once hired.” (Educational Portal.com “Conflict Resolution Certification: Graduate Certification Program Overview”)
- “In a world drawn ever closer by globalization, yet still fractured by historical and cultural division, evolution in conflict resolution management is critical. Embarking on a coordinated body of study will show an employer that you have a serious interest in, and greater understanding of, the rapidly expanding science of conflict resolution. Participating in Certificate program courses will allow you to mix with and learn from: scholars and practitioners who are recognized both nationally and internationally for their expertise; and professionals practicing in a variety of fields. This exposure is extremely valuable in a world where conflict resolvers almost always work in cross-disciplinary teams” (Hamline University School of Law, law.hamline.edu/certificates/dispute_resolution.html)
