Conflict Management

Interpersonal conflict is a normal occurrence in the workplace. In midwifery, it can be a significant risk to both client safety and midwives personal wellbeing. Certain factors which can contribute to or exacerbate conflict include:

  • on call work and sleep disruptions;
  • demanding workload;
  • bullying and discrimination;
  • lack of professional recognition; and
  • vicarious trauma and ongoing emotional labour.

Addressing conflict is a responsibility all share, and it is essential to creating a healthy workplace culture. In fact, managing conflict well can be both generative and restorative. 

Midwives, employees and volunteers should participate in good faith to address any concerns regarding an individual or group’s behaviour. Self reflection can help individuals identify how their behaviours, values, beliefs, philosophies and perceptions affect relationships with others by:

  • identifying personal behaviours and/or attitudes that may contribute to conflict, and striving to make changes;
  • acknowledging and understanding their own personal conflict management style; and
  • understanding the importance of emotional intelligence, lived experiences and their relationship to conflict.

Midwives, employees and volunteers are expected to address disagreements and minor conflicts directly, proactively and in a timely fashion. Delays in addressing disagreements or conflict can lead to escalation, entrenchment and dissatisfaction at work. Poorly managed and/or unresolved disputes are a leading cause of insurance claims. Bystanders and third parties, when safe and resourced to do should be empowered to ‘call in’ the parties.

Midwives in leadership positions should commit to ongoing training regarding conflict management in the workplace and clear communication and accountability regarding conflict resolution. Midwives can apply to the professional development fund for coverage of training related to conflict and human resources.

If you need help addressing a conflict, there is support available. You can access AOM OnCall for individualized support, or refer to the resource list below.

Resources

Protocols

A sample protocol for conflict resolution is available under Human Resources on the Protocols webpage.

Podcasts

Becoming the People Podcast with Prentis Hemphill. "Navigating Conflict with Kazu Haga" Season Two, Episode Seven. May 2024. https://www.findingourwaypodcast.com/individual-episodes/s2e7

Articles

Canadian Medical Protective Association. Resolving conflict between healthcare providers. (2021) https://www.cmpa-acpm.ca/en/advice-publications/browse-articles/2021/resolving-conflict-between-healthcare-providers

Conflict management: difficult conversations with difficult people. Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2013 Dec; 26(4):259-64. doi: 10.1055/s-0033-1356728. PMID: 24436688; PMCID: PMC3835442. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3835442/

Kai Cheng Thom. "so you're ready to choose love A Loving Justice Workbook; Trauma-Informed Conflict Transformation for Social Justice & Spiritual Growth" (2021) https://ariseembodiment.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/So-youre-ready-to-choose-love-workbook-19.pdf

Speaking up without tearing down, by Loretta Ross, in Learning for Justice Issue 61 (Spring 2019) https://www.learningforjustice.org/magazine/spring-2019/speaking-up-without-tearing-down

Online Courses & Training

Healthcare Excellence Canada. TeamSTEPPS Canada Online Course. https://www.healthcareexcellence.ca/en/what-we-do/all-programs/teamstepps-canada-essentials-course/
Free, approx. 40mins.

University of Waterloo. Conflict Management Certificate Program. https://uwaterloo.ca/conflict-management/workshops/conflict-management-and-mediation-workshops
Various workshops available, can be taken individually, may be eligible for reimbursement through PD Fund.

Webinars:

Association of Ontario Midwives. Bullying: Structural Factors and Systemic Issues (2018)

Dr. Robyn Short. The Brain in Conflict & Connection (2024)