I recently read a 2016 study by Australian researchers published in the "International Journal of Conflict Management" that helps understand how manager and supervisors can help employees resolve their own conflicts on the job.

The study states:

• Managers can identify employee conflicts early and intervene to minimize their escalation into conflicts which can harm productivity.
• Managers who encourage the use problem-solving collaboration have the greatest positive impact.
• Managers and supervisors should not be reluctant to intervene in employees disputes.

On Saturday, May 27, I finished another training program for people who want to volunteer as mediators in Small Claims court.

We normally see disputes that have a dollar value in contention.  But, people can be creative in the disputes that they bring to Small Claims.

For example, in one recent case a blogger sued another blogger for engaging in a campaign of cyber-bullying by posting a series of false statements.

The burden of proof in a libel case is on the plaintiff to prove what was posted was false.  The defendant isn't required to prove they are true.

The judge ruled for the plaintiff saying that he believed what the the defendant posted was false and awarded the plaintiff $5,000 in damages and $55 in court fees.