Recommendation on how to addressing bickering at the office??

Question

Is the best way to addressing bickering at the office by bringing both parties together in a room or addressing the problem one on one?

I am the supervisor who is responsible for one of the two individuals and this is one thing I've never had to address before.

Answer 1

First you must establish that they're not bickering over questions of authority, job functions, proper procedures, or the line of command. In these cases, you are the cause, and you can fix it with proper instruction/direction. Absent that, I've used the following options:

1. Fire one or both (seriously)
2. Put a camera in an obvious location (usually legal in the workplace). Their knowledge that you could watch will probably be more than enough. Feel free to tell them that's why you did it.
3. Bring them together in one room, indicate that you have had enough, and direct them to stop. Do not rehash what their bickering about, it doesn't matter (unless it is confusion regarding work duties, then it is your fault) Warn them that after that, you'll note it on both their reviews, and withhold both of their raises.
4. Separate shifts/locations/tasks
5. Take away perks until they stop. Free coffee, parking spots, etc. Do it to both of them, and don't bother asking who started it. Petty bickering is a childish behavior, and sometimes requires similar response as with children. In some cases, I've literally given individuals "time outs", sending home one or both (with no pay if possible) for a day to cool off. If you easily can identify the culprit, fine. If not, send both home. Don't become involved in the content of the bickering.

Answer 2

Are you the supervisor? If so, yes, getting them into the same room and talking it out might work and it if it's personal issue, tell them that they are there to do a job and they need to leave the personal stuff at the door. If you are not the supervisor, then talk to your supervisor about it and then just do your job and don't get involved in their squabbles. Trust me on that one!!!! (from experience)

Answer 3

Bring them together... make them face each other so they have to be honest!! make sure that they both know that neither of them are going to get special treatment, and give them both consequences if it doesn't cease.

Answer 4

I would just leave it.. basically because it isn't up to a co-worker to fix arguing co-workers. I suggest staying out of of arguments and focus on being the best worker that you can be.

Answer 5

Remind them together that this is a professional atmosphere and if they cant get along, and maintain professional decorum,they will both be terminated.. that will shut them up fast!
peacheswrites

Answer 6

give them absolutely nothing to do but bicker to each other. Then fire both of them.

Answer 7

Tell the two to work it out together, then come and tell you what they decided.