MGT110 ASSIGNMENT 2
Workplace Relationships
Bachelor of Professional Communications 270, Level 6, Credits 15, Version 1
© Southern Institute of Technology 2015
Southern Institute of Technology
Bachelor of Professional Communication
Paper Title Workplace relationships
ASSIGNMENT TASK2
Activity Title:
Standard Number
and Title:
Assignment 2
MGT110 – Workplace Relationships
Level 5, 15 credits,
Assessed Learning
Outcomes:
2
Examine the issues of interpersonal conflict in a workplace situation.
Conditions:
This is a compulsory assignment. It must be submitted and will count
towards the final result for this paper.
The completed assignment is to be submitted to your facilitator via
Blackboard by the due date.
This assignment makes up 15% of your final mark.
Bachelor of Professional Communications 270, Level 6, Credits 15, Version 1
© Southern Institute of Technology 2015
ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTI ONS
Word count: 1,200 words excluding your referencing.
Scenario
You are team leader at a busy open plan advertising agency. Recently the agency has increased its employee
numbers; space and room availability has become an issue. Renee and James work in your organisation, Renee is
fairly new to the agency, whilst James has been with the agency for 8 years. They have formed a new team and
work together in their department.
You happen to overhear an interpersonal conflict as transcribed below between Renee and James; as a team leader
it’s your responsibility to examine and try to resolve the issues of the conflict in order to manage and support
positive workplace relationships. How will you go about managing this conflict that risks escalating?
Dialogue:
Renee: James, would you mind trading conference rooms today?
James: Why would I want to do that?
Renee: Well, I have invited several others to participate in a call with a potential new client and wanted to use the
larger room so we could fit comfortably. I thought you were just making a call to your field staff and wouldn’t
need the large room.
James: You thought wrong. I need the larger room.
Renee: But aren’t you the only one on the call on this end?
James: I said no. I scheduled the room because I need it.
Renee: Okay, I noticed that you have reserved it for the entire afternoon. You’re just having your weekly call
with field staff. Will you really need it for that entire time? Could I have it beginning at 3.00?
James: No (smiling)
Renee: How about I buy you lunch to switch?
James: Nope
Renee: Come on James. There is no real reason why you need the large room. I really do.
James: I reserved it. I keep it.
Renee: You’re just being obstinate. Why do you always have to be this way?
James: (Still smiling) I’m just that good.
Renee: Fine. Have a nice call.
Part 1: Examine issues of an interpersonal conflict in the workplace (600 words)
The first stage of resolving or managing a conflict at work is to evaluate the situation and try and gain an
understanding of the factors at work.
For the purpose of this assignment write a short report to examine three key contributors to the conflict and how
this is manifested by the individuals’ behaviour.
Bachelor of Professional Communications 270, Level 6, Credits 15, Version 1
© Southern Institute of Technology 2015
Identify and discuss one potential impact from this conflict for Renee and one impact for James in terms of their
workplace relationship and discuss one potential impact on the business operation.
Part 2: Communication and conflict resolution (600 words.)
Once you have identified a potential workplace conflict a first step will be to arrange a meeting with the
individuals involved. Try and gain as much information as possible through an interview with all parties involved.
The clearer your picture of what the underlying causes of the conflict are, the more likely you will be to bring
about a mutually agreeable resolution.
As an expert communicator you will be able to adapt your communication style and techniques to fit the
individual and the situation.
Describe five communication skills you will use to conduct your interviews with Renee and James. How will the
skills assist you in getting to the bottom of the conflict while keeping the lines of communication open. Anticipate
the attitudes and behaviours you are likely to encounter in those meetings. Please refer to your Course Study
Guide and Readings as well as additional research to inform your assignment.
Collaboration:
You might at times feel isolated and feel the need to run ideas by your fellow students. Make sure you use the
Discussion Board to communicate with your peers and exchange resources and ideas. There is an Assignment
Forum available just for that purpose. Please use it. If you have questions which you want to address to your
facilitator, don’t hesitate to contact them. You will find their contact details on the announcement page.
The report of course will have to be your own work but collaboration at the planning stages and sharing
of resources is encouraged.
Bachelor of Professional Communications 270, Level 6, Credits 15, Version 1
© Southern Institute of Technology 2015
Marking schedule
Criteria
E (0-39)
D(40-49)
C(50-64)
B(65-79)
A (80-100)
Contributors to
the conflict and
consequent
impacts are
examined and
discussed.
Contributors to
the conflict are not
identified or
discussed.
Three
contributors are
identified
however lack
clear detail or
evidence of
examination.
The contributors
are explored,
some awareness
of their impact
on relationships
and behaviour.
Analysis could
be more in
depth.
The contributors
are explored with an
awareness of their
impact on
relationships and
behaviour. Good
analysis
The contributors
are explored with a
critical awareness
of their impact on
relationships and
behaviour.
Exceptional depth
of analysis. Very
insightful.
Impacts from the
conflict are not
correctly identified
or accurately
described.
Weighting 20%
Communicatio
n skills are
justified in their
purpose to
manage, resolve
or avoid the
conflict
Weighting 15%
Communication
skills are not
clearly defined nor
explored in
relation to the
context of the
interpersonal
conflict.
Confusion about
how skills can be
used to manage
behaviour.
Link to the
scenario lacking or
unrealistic.
Impacts have
been identified
however there is
no clear link to
the conflict.
Not all five
communication
skills are clearly
defined and
explored in
relation to the
context of the
interpersonal
conflict.
Muddled at
times.
Partially clear on
how each skill
can be used to
manage
behaviour.
Link to the
scenario could
be more
convincing.
The impact of
the conflict on
each employee
and the business
operation is
discussed but
could be more
convincing.
Five
communication
skills are defined
and somewhat
related to the
context of the
interpersonal
conflict.
Reasonable
discussion on
how each skill
can be used to
manage specific
behaviour.
Could be more
convincingly
linked to the
scenario.
The impact of the
conflict on each
employee and the
business operation
maintains is
convincing. Good
analysis.
Five communication
skills are clearly
defined and
explored in relation
to the context of the
interpersonal
conflict.
Five
communication
skills are
convincingly
discussed in
relation to the
context.
There is a robust
argument as to how
each skill can be
used to manage
specific behaviour.
There is an
excellent
demonstration of
how each skill can
be used to manage
specific behaviour.
Good link to the
scenario.
Anticipation of
potential
behavioural issues.
Bachelor of Professional Communications 270, Level 6, Credits 15, Version 1
© Southern Institute of Technology 2015
The impact of the
conflict on each
employee and the
business operation
maintains a real
context that is
convincing and
extensive. The
analysis is in
depth.
Clearly linked to
the scenario,
convincing and
insightful.
Excellent
anticipation of
potential
behavioural issues.
Organisation/
logic
No flow.
Poorly organised
and difficult to
read. Does not
flow logically
from one part to
another. The
argument is not
clear.
Generally well
organised
although the
flow of the
argument is not
always logical.
Argument is
clear and mostly
sound.
Coherently
organised and logical
formation of sound
argument.
Exceptionally well
structured. Logic is
easy to follow.
Arguments are
sound and
convincing.
No consideration
for presentation.
Acceptable
presentation.
Tidy
presentation.
Professional
presentation.
Polished
presentation.
Muddled writing
that is very
difficult to follow.
Long winded
and some clear
writing
presentation.
Mostly clear
writing but at
times long
winded.
Clear writing mainly
to the point.
Clear and concise
writing.
Considered writing
style.
Some
grammatical
errors.
Writing style
lacks
consideration.
Mature and
appropriate writing
style.
Multiple spelling
errors.
Few issues
around grammar.
No argument.
Weighting 5%
Writing
Weighting 5%
Numerous
grammatical
errors.
Multiple spelling
errors.
Excellent grammar
with only minor
oversights.
Less than 3 spelling
errors.
Excellent
grammar, correct
in all aspects.
No spelling errors.
Less than 5
spelling errors.
Research
Limited
understanding.
The research has
not been linked to
the main text.
In-text citations
and Reference
list APA
formatted
Less than 2
authoritative
sources or
sources are not
relevant for the
task.
Very limited
understanding.
Weighting 20%
No authoritative
sources, no
evidence of
research or not
relevant for the
task.
Little evidence
of meaningful
integration of
the research with
the main text.
More than 5
errors.
4-5 errors.
2-3 scholarly
sources.
3-4 scholarly
sources.
4-5 scholarly
sources.
Some sources
lack relevance or
authority but are
still appropriate
for the task.
Sources are mostly
well-chosen,
authoritative and
appropriate for the
task.
Sources are wellchosen,
authoritative and
are appropriate for
the task.
Adequate
understanding.
Good
understanding.
Excellent
understanding.
The research
could be
incorporated
with the main
text more
consistently.
The research is
integrated with the
main text.
The research is
very well
integrated with the
main text.
2-3 errors.
1 error.
No errors.
Weighting 5%
Bachelor of Professional Communications 270, Level 6, Credits 15, Version 1
© Southern Institute of Technology 2015
