Essay Sample on City Managemnet Conflict: Causes & Consequences

Introduction

The conflict that is rising between the city police officers and the city management is caused by several issues including; the ordering by the mayor to hire twenty-five new officers because of the public exposure of the earnings of some police officers which are more than what the mayor earns. Another cause of conflict is the fall of overtime hours for the police officers. And finally, the decrease in overtime incomes for the officers escalates dispute because their families mostly depend on the overtime pay.

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Short-term Outcomes

The conflict will possibly place the public at risk by replacing the rookie officers with the experienced officers and reduce the morale of the experienced police officers, thereby leading to financial hardship for the experienced officers and their families. Another outcome is that some officers work on double shifts and regular basis but lack proper remuneration.

Long-Term Outcomes

The perpetual conflict between the city management and the officers can result in long-term problems such as unethical behavior of the officers like a work slowdown, increased absenteeism, and giving a warning for traffic offenders instead of tickets. And objections on overtime work especially when duty calls for odd time work.

Actions for Conflict Resolution

The first action for the conflict resolutions is that the city management should work together with the police union in developing an effective plan to ensure gradual reduction in workload and overtime for the officers. Again it can be resolved if the city management rethink on its position on the officers. Ultimately the management officials should meet the union leaders to agree on how to go about the matter mutually.

Developing Positive Work Culture in the City's Police Department

Workplace conflict is often inevitable when employees come together in executing their assigned tasks. The success of every business relies on developing a desirable work culture that puts into consideration the needs of employees to forestall a likely conflict that may involve the employers and the employees (Roche, Teague, & Colvin, 2014). In light of this, there are always two components of work culture that can be instrumental in curbing negative conflict at the workplace and they include; firstly, employers should ensure that managing conflict becomes a key job competency requirement and the HR professionals should assess how the applicants dealt with conflict in the previous experience. Secondly, employees should be instilled with the culture of ensuring that they focus on the potential consequences of behaviors while addressing the conflict.

While seeking to recruit police officers, the HR department should focus on highlighting essential requirements that should be met to ensure that workplace conflict is prevented. Concerning the "Job Description of City Police Officers," it is essential that the following specifications are embedded in the "required" section; the applicant should possess strong conflict management skills and the ability to diffuse tension and the willingness to adopt effective conflict resolution.

Understanding of the job candidate's competency to manage workplace conflict can be enhanced through asking the following situational interview questions; firstly, how would you react to the news that your employer plans to subject all workers to pay cut in a bid to cut the operational cost? Secondly, what are some of the conflict resolution methods you will pursue in the circumstances where you feel your employer has reneged on a promise to increase your salary? Lastly, how would prevail upon your colleagues to ensure that every option available are exhausted while seeking conflict resolution?

Evaluating improvements in employee relations in the city police department is important to ensure that the police officers effectively execute their mandate of keeping law and order within the city. The methods include; increasing officers' engagement in the city police department to ensure that the employees air their grievances to the employers; promotion of work-life balance where the police officers are provided with an opportunity to spend time with their families.

References

Roche, W. K., Teague, P., & Colvin, A. J. (Eds.). (2014). The Oxford handbook of conflict management in organizations. Oxford University Press.

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