Conflicts & Disputes

On this page:

How to Manage Conflict Kinds of Disputes

How to Manage Conflict

Try To ...

• listen to and understand what the other person is saying even if you disagree – show you have heard what they are saying;
• state your point of view and what you want;
• be specific and factual and own your opinions
  and experience of the situation;
• invite co-operative solution finding – focus on
  ways to solve the problem to everyone’s
  satisfaction.

Try to Avoid ...

• preparing an attack, labelling, threatening,
  arguing every point;
• defensiveness, self justifying;
• denying there is a problem, minimising
  someone’s concerns.

Remember ...

• to exchange information about the dispute,
  then quickly focus on options for solving the
  problem.

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Kinds of Disputes

Problems between people inevitably arise in an
institution as large as Victoria. A person may behave in a way that breaches a law or a rule or that offends someone else; or two people may disagree and be unable to resolve an issue.

For example:

A student may…

• think a lecturer is not respectful;
• find another student intrusive;
• have difficulties with University structures.

A staff member may…

• feel misjudged by a manager;
• be unhappy with the work environment;
• believe someone is behaving unprofessionally.

A manager may…

• find staff relationships breaking down;
• want to double-check with someone on how to handle a situation.

These are just a few examples of the many situations that can come up between staff, students or staff and students. If you find yourself in a dispute you cannot resolve, then come and talk to the Student Interest and Disputes Resolution Advisor. We may be able to help.