It’s no secret that conflict can be a business killer. According to Acas, workplace conflict costs UK employers an eye-watering £28.5 billion a year, equating to £1,000 per employee. That’s money most companies, especially small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), simply can’t afford to lose. But it’s not just about the financial hit.

Think about the toll on employee morale, engagement, and mental wellbeing. The CPP found that 29% of employees have been dealing with continual conflict that can escalate into personal attacks, and a significant 85% have experienced some form of conflict at work in their careers. A CIPD report further reveals that 42% of those who experienced workplace conflict in the previous 12 months said they ‘always’ or ‘frequently’ felt exhausted, and 37% said they always or often felt under pressure.

What if we could change that narrative? What if we could nurture the ability to turn conflict into an opportunity for collaboration and growth, particularly in a business’ infancy? That’s exactly what we’re striving for with UK Resolution (UKR).

A Transformative HR Consultancy

Through our flagship brand, The TCM Group, we’ve always been passionate about transforming how organisations manage conflict. It’s evidenced in the 93% successful outcome rate we’ve achieved between parties through mediation and facilitation. Recently, it’s been encouraging to see an increasing number of clients move through our developing ecosystem; for instance, those who understand the benefits of tying in mediation with conflict coaching.

But with the launch of UKR, our new HR consultancy and national resolution centre designed specifically for smaller businesses, we’re more excited than ever. Why? Because we know the incredible difference this offering is going to make for companies that might not have the resources or time to effectively handle workplace disputes on their own.

We’ve created something truly special, a powerful solution that gives SMEs, family businesses and small public bodies such as schools, parish councils and GPs alike the tools and strategies to navigate conflict in ways that foster growth, respect, and resilience.

HR Processes that Pack a Punch

We know how overwhelming conflict can be, especially for smaller businesses and third sector organisations that don’t have a big HR department or a dedicated conflict resolution team. So, we’ve created a system that isn’t just about quick fixes and putting out fires; it’s about transforming the way businesses manage conflict from the inside out. And we’ve designed it with the unique challenges of a smaller organisation in mind.

One of the key components of our approach is The Resolution Index™ — a tool we’re particularly excited about. It’s like having your very own conflict expert in your pocket, ready to triage each case and recommend the most effective resolution strategy. Whether the issue is a minor misunderstanding or a major conflict, The Resolution Index™ evaluates it based on metrics like duration, severity, past resolution attempts, and potential risks. This ensures that nothing slips through the cracks and that each case gets the attention it deserves.

After all, it’s easy and common for any size organisation to lose track of things. But our intuitive casework hub dashboard further helps solve this by keeping everything organised, providing real-time updates on the progress of each case for data-driven decision-making. This transparency and ease of use is something we’re incredibly proud of. It makes handling conflicts feel a lot less mind-boggling for businesses, especially those that don’t have time to chase down the details themselves.

A Tailored, Personal Approach

UKR offers a truly personalised approach that SMEs have never really had access to before. We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all for the customer. Instead, after the triage process using The Resolution Index™, we recommend the best course of action from our suite of resolution services — whether that’s mediation, conflict coaching, team facilitation, or formal investigations. What’s more, customers uniquely have access to a panel of world-leading HR professionals, mediators, investigators, coaches and lawyers that would be typically reserved for larger organisations.

It’s about getting the right people involved at the right time to nip conflict in the bud before it does any real damage. And doing so with utmost fairness, objectivity and compassion at the same time.

Moreover, where conflict and disputes are traditionally rooted in shame and avoidance, this personalisation and flexibility is key for the parties’ willingness and engagement during the route to resolution process. We’re there as a trusted partner should they need further guidance and aftercare following any actions.

Navigating Conflict & Employment Law

On top of the challenges conflict creates, navigating the ever-changing landscape of employment law adds another layer of complexity for small businesses. As Labour’s new Employment Rights Bill comes into effect on 26 October 2024, with 28 individual employment reforms including updates on flexible working rights, redundancy processes, and harassment prevention, small businesses are under more pressure than ever to ensure compliance. This is where things can get really tricky, especially for organisations without an in-house legal or HR department.

For start-ups and other small businesses, the stakes are high. Mishandling disputes can lead to costly tribunals, damaged reputations, and strained relationships with employees. That’s why it’s crucial to have a resolution framework that doesn’t just deal with conflict effectively but helps you negotiate legal challenges in line with the latest requirements as well.

The Time for Change Is Now

We’re biased, but we can’t help but feel thrilled about the potential impact UK Resolution is going to have. Imagine a workplace where conflict doesn’t simmer under the surface, where it’s addressed swiftly and fairly, and where employees feel heard and valued. A workplace where conflict isn’t destructive, but rather a catalyst for a culture of trust, innovation and deeper connections between team members.

For SMEs, this really can be revolutionary. Embedding a culture of proactive conflict management before a business potentially scales up is a critical ingredient for ensuring long-term success. By fostering empathy and mutual respect, we’re helping businesses not only resolve conflicts but adopt a forward-thinking approach that prevents them from happening in the first place. And we can guarantee that as a result, the output and the talent that subsequently walks through the door will get increasingly more astounding.

If you’re ready to shift how your business manages conflict, we’d love to partner with you on that journey. Let’s talk about how UK Resolution can help you build a more resilient, harmonious workplace — where conflict isn’t feared, but embraced as a positive opportunity.

Find out more at ukresolution.com, or get in touch with us at info@thetcmgroup.com and let’s start building a workplace that thrives through resolution.

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