Successful organizations pay attention to managing conflict which means well-articulated policies and processes along with training for managers and staff in essential communication and conflict resolution skills. Many organizations have integrated conflict management systems. These systems provide options for resolution when staff members have difficulty resolving conflict on their own, such as conflict coaching and mediation.
When wrongdoing occurs, mediation would likely be inappropriate as negotiating “wrongdoing” would not be ethical, particularly if law-breaking is involved. In such situations successful organizations will have in place a whistleblowing policy and procedure.
A preliminary step to establishing a whistleblowing policy and procedure would be to assess and understand your organization as it is now. Below are two tools that may help in assessing and understanding your organization – Organizational Learning System, and Ethical Audits.
Organizational Learning System