Managing Stress and Conflict in Libraries

Tackling conflict and stress effectively is a legal responsibility for management, and can result in significant benefits for the organization in terms of recruitment and retention, employee commitment, performance and productivity, customer satisfaction, organizational image and reputation, and potential litigation.
This book defines clearly what should and should not be tolerated in a healthy and safe working environment, and introduces the reporting procedures leading to conflict resolution, enabling both the employee and the manager to decide whether or not there is a case for making a risk assessment that may lead to formal mediation. The chapters cover:

• current health and safety concerns
• risk assessment procedure
• the business case
• taking action to solve interpersonal conflict
• communication skills and training
• support to be expected from the organization.

Also included are case studies, a glossary of health and safety terms, and sources of further information, including relevant legislation. Readership: This book is essential reading for employees at all levels, and also for managers, team leaders, supervisors, personnel and human resources staff, complaints officers, union officers and anyone else in the information organization who may be called upon to deal with people.

Sheila Pantry OBE BA FCLIP manages an independent information services consultancy and electronic publishing business, including websites. She has had a long and varied career in information management in a range of industry sectors, and also in government as Head of Information Services for the Health and Safety Executive. She specializes in worldwide occupational health, safety and fire information and is an experienced trainer, writer, editor and lecturer.