HR, legal & training · Short course
Diversity and Conflict Management
Working across differences and responding constructively to workplace conflict.
The programme
Programme overview
Expanded indicative outline. The subject areas are described below; proposed activities and final delivery requirements are confirmed with Ratomac before booking.
Working across differences and responding constructively to workplace conflict.
The programme brings together understanding difference, inclusive communication, conflict situations and team agreements. The expanded outline below shows how these areas can be explored through explanation, discussion and the preparation of relevant work products.
A proposed workshop runs through the programme: A team’s working practices exclude some members and disagreements are interpreted as personal hostility. Participants would examine the situation in stages, use the information provided and explain the basis of their decisions. The workshop is fictional and can be adapted when the final training plan is agreed.
Who should attend
Is this programme for you?
This outline is relevant to the following roles. Suitability and any formal entry requirements should be checked for the selected programme.
- Team leaders, HR practitioners and employees coordinating diverse teams.
- Individuals preparing to take on responsibilities in this area.
- Teams seeking a shared approach to the work described in the programme.
Purpose of the learning
Intended learning outcomes
- Identify differences in perspectives and barriers to participation.
- Practise communication that checks assumptions and invites contribution.
- Analyse a workplace conflict and compare response options.
- Develop team agreements for respectful discussion and resolving concerns.
- Combine the module outputs into a reasoned response to the programme’s workplace scenario.
5 learning blocks
Detailed programme outline
01Understanding difference
This part of the programme examines understanding difference, with attention to perspectives and workplace barriers. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Perspectives.
- Workplace barriers.
- Applied work: identify differences in perspectives and barriers to participation.
Illustrative practical exercise
Identify differences in perspectives and barriers to participation. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
02Inclusive communication
This part of the programme examines inclusive communication, with attention to respect, listening and participation. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Respect.
- Listening.
- Participation.
- Applied work: practise communication that checks assumptions and invites contribution.
Illustrative practical exercise
Practise communication that checks assumptions and invites contribution. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
03Conflict situations
This part of the programme examines conflict situations, with attention to identifying causes and response options. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Identifying causes.
- Response options.
- Applied work: analyse a workplace conflict and compare response options.
Illustrative practical exercise
Analyse a workplace conflict and compare response options. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
04Team agreements
This part of the programme examines team agreements, with attention to constructive behaviours and shared responsibilities. The practical task connects the subject to the programme’s workplace scenario and gives participants a specific output to discuss.
Topics to explore
- Constructive behaviours.
- Shared responsibilities.
- Applied work: develop team agreements for respectful discussion and resolving concerns.
Illustrative practical exercise
Develop team agreements for respectful discussion and resolving concerns. Explain the information used, identify any assumptions and take part in a review of the proposed approach.
05Integrated workplace workshop
A team’s working practices exclude some members and disagreements are interpreted as personal hostility. The final workshop connects the earlier work rather than treating each topic as an isolated activity.
Topics to explore
- Bring together the outputs from the earlier modules into one coherent response to the scenario.
- Check that the recommendation addresses the original problem and is supported by the information available.
- Identify responsibilities, dependencies and matters that require specialist input or further evidence.
- Present the proposed response and revise it after questions from the facilitator and other participants.
Illustrative practical exercise
Prepare a concise presentation for the fictional organisation. Include the proposed response, the evidence supporting it and the decisions still required. Finish with a reflection on which aspects could be relevant to your own work.
From discussion to application
How the programme could be delivered
The proposed learning approach combines facilitator-led explanation, discussion of the subject areas and guided work on the fictional scenario. Each module produces a practical output that can be reviewed and improved.
Participants can work individually or in small groups to compare interpretations, explain their decisions and identify missing information. Feedback focuses on the connection between the task, the evidence used and the proposed response.
The final workshop brings the module outputs together. Ratomac will confirm the delivery format, learning resources, entry requirements and any formal assessment or certification arrangements for the selected programme.
Discuss your requirements
Dates, duration & arrangements
Contact Ratomac to agree the final programme, duration and delivery format. Include your preferred timing, location and whether the enquiry is for yourself or a team.
Discuss this programme ↗Indicative outline for discussion. The final syllabus is agreed with Ratomac before booking. The expanded learning activities and workplace scenario are original proposals for discussion with Ratomac.