L3 Life Orientation Module 4

Life Orientation: Life Skills NQF 3 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Orientation NQF Level 3

Use strategies to manage emotions & workplace relationships intelligently Module 4 Downloaded from hlayiso.com *see terms and conditions

Think about it… • How can problems in work relationships be dealt with in a constructive way? • When is it necessary to call in a third party? • What role does self-control play in resolving problems in the workplace? Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Unit 4.1 Workplace relations Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Orientation NQF Level 3

What are relations? • In this context: the way people are connected at work • Examples:  Employer–employees  Supervisor–team  Manager–department. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Negative workplace relations • Sexual harassment • Workplace bullying • Gender discrimination. Figure 4.1: Sexual harassment is any unwanted sexually motivated behaviour Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Sexual harassment • Harassment = intimidation or harmful pressure • Unwanted sexual behaviour • Makes you uncomfortable, unhappy or anxious. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Sexual harassment Table 4.1: Examples of sexual harassment in the workplace Physical Verbal Non-verbal Touching someone’s Making sexual comments, Staring at someone’s body inappropriately suggestions or hints of a body in an offensive way sexual nature Conducting a strip Telling sexist or sex-related Making sexual gestures search of, or in the jokes presence of, someone of the opposite sex Sexual assault (attack) Enquiring about a person’s Displaying sexually sex life explicit pictures or items Rape Making graphic comments Texting or emailing about a person’s body sexually explicit pictures Whistling in a sexual way at Indecent exposure a person Asking for sexual favours or sex Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Workplace bullying • Unacceptable behaviour directed at an employee • One or more incidents • Aggression & hostility • Bullies mistreat, humiliate & intimidate victims. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Workplace bullying Table 4.2: Examples of bullying in the workplace Physical Verbal Non-verbal • Making impossible • Making rules for the • “Forgetting” to do demands on the person that don’t apply things that the person person (e.g. unrealistic to others needs in order to do his deadlines) or her work well • Interfering with the • Commenting very • Giving the person person’s work, or negatively on the unfriendly looks damaging their tools person’s ideas & or products thoughts • Stealing the person’s • Making disrespectful or • Ignoring the person ideas humiliating comments when he or she speaks • Terrorising the person • Constantly criticising • Not putting a stop to (e.g. leaving a rubber the person gossip about the snake on their desk) person • Attacking the person • Making personal verbal • Excluding the person physically (e.g. attacks from work or social slapping him/her) events Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Workplace bullying Table 4.2: Examples of bullying in the workplace (continued) Physical Verbal Non-verbal • Telling lies about the person • Falsely accusing the person Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Gender discrimination • Sexual discrimination = unfair treatment because he is male or she is female • Gender discrimination = bad treatment because he or she isn’t “masculine” or “feminine” according to their culture • Based on stereotypes (generalised opinions about a group). Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Gender discrimination Table 4.3: Examples of gender discrimination in the workplace Physical Verbal Non-verbal • Assigning only • Saying that a certain job or • Expecting either less or female workers to task is only for men or more from a male (or the tearoom roster women female) in situations • Paying a female less • Making statements like: • Having different “You men/women are standards for treating always ...” women or men • Not promoting a • Treating the opposite sex • Forming all-male or all- woman with disrespect female groups at work or social events • Not employing someone because of their gender Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Gender discrimination Unpleasant Lawsuits atmosphere Unhappiness, at work stress & fear High staff absenteeism/ Results of sexual turnover harassment, workplace bullying & gender Poor discrimination productivity Low worker morale Illness Figure 4.4: Consequences of sexual harassment, workplace bullying Downloaded from hlayiso.com & gender discrimination

Learning activity 4.1 Module 4 Test your knowledge of this section by completing Learning activity 4.1 in your Student’s Book. Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Orientation NQF Level 3

Unit 4.2 Measures & mechanisms for handling negative work relations Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Orientation NQF Level 3

Measures & mechanisms • A measure = way to achieve something • A mechanism = formal, planned system. Figure 4.6: Although negative work relations may not always end up in a real fight, they remain unpleasant & stressful Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Handling sexual harassment, gender discrimination & bullying • Know your human rights!  Human dignity  Freedom & security  Freedom of religion, belief & opinion  Labour relations  Language & culture  Just administrative action. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Handling sexual harassment, gender discrimination & bullying • Report offences:  Try to speak to the offender in front of witnesses  Politely ask the offender to stop  Keep a detailed written record of offences  Report to human resources or the shop steward. Management needs to deal with offences. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Handling sexual harassment, gender discrimination & bullying • Use other suitable mechanisms (in this order):  Employee’s association or trade union  Labour lawyer  Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA)  Labour court. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Handling sexual harassment, gender discrimination & bullying • Assist disciplinary actions  Employers need to follow these steps: 1. Verbal warning 2. Written warning 3. Final written warning 4. Suspension (without pay) 5. Demotion 6. Dismissal. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Handling sexual harassment, gender discrimination & bullying • Be assertive:  Have confidence & good self-esteem  Express yourself clearly  Know your rights & respect others  Have clear morals  Act maturely & consistently. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Learning activity 4.2 Module 4 Test your knowledge of this section by completing Learning activity 4.2 in your Student’s Book. Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Orientation NQF Level 3

Unit 4.3 Strategies for conflict resolution Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Orientation NQF Level 3

What is conflict resolution? • A process to resolve serious disagreement • Aims for positive outcome • Protects human rights • Ideally, a win-win solution. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Mechanisms for resolving conflict • Negotiation:  Two parties discuss  If necessary, include a negotiator  Both parties satisfied with outcome, even if not exactly what is wanted  Situation goes back to normal. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Mechanisms for resolving conflict • Conciliation:  Informal, friendly  Try to bring parties together  Opinions change, or “agree to disagree”. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Mechanisms for resolving conflict • Mediation:  Serious conflict  Mediator called in  Mediator must be neutral (objective, fair, impartial)  Listens to both sides in private  Reports back to each side  Helps parties to understand each other. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Mechanisms for resolving conflict • Arbitration:  Serious  Third party helps resolve dispute  Arbitrator’s decision is final & legally binding. Figure 4.14: An arbitrator may be called in to help to resolve a dispute Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Learning activity 4.3 Module 4 Test your knowledge of this section – and role-play conflict resolution – by completing Learning activity 4.3 in your Student’s Book. Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Orientation NQF Level 3

Personal strategies in conflict resolution • Listen well • Express your emotions appropriately • Apply problem-solving skills. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Learning activity 4.4 Module 4 Test your knowledge of this section by completing Learning activity 4.4 in your Student’s Book. Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Orientation NQF Level 3

Personal strategies in conflict resolution Table 4.4: Basic steps in solving problems Steps Discussion 1. Define the problem. Do you know what the problem really is? If people on both sides are making accusations, the issue may seem unclear or complicated. Ask questions until you understand what lies at the core of the unhappiness. 2. Get both sides of the Remember that the person who speaks the loudest story. or who seems most convincing might not be right. Don’t form an opinion until you have gathered all the facts. You may need to question witnesses and colleagues too. 3. Study the facts You could ask people who aren’t involved in the neutrally. situation or workplace what they make of the matter. 4. Identify outcomes. Ask each party (even privately) what they want to see done, or what they think the best solution would be. Draw Downloaded from up a list of all kinds hlayiso.com of solutions.

Personal strategies in conflict resolution Table 4.4: Basic steps in solving problems Steps Discussion 5. Set perspectives Get the parties to agree on the truth about the situation. straight. Point out any misunderstandings, exaggerations, lies, false accusations and generalised statements. Reduce the matter to the facts, and reformulate the problem based on the evidence. 6. Propose a solution. Propose an objective solution or solutions that offer something to both sides. The solution could even be unusual or creative. 7. Develop an Both parties should be allowed to work through and help acceptable solution. reshape the suggested solution until they reach consensus on it. Both may have to compromise on their original expectations. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Learning activity 4.5 Module 4 Test your knowledge of this section by completing Learning activity 4.5 in your Student’s Book. Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Orientation NQF Level 3

Personal strategies in conflict resolution • Use assertiveness skills, for instance:  Appear confident  Communicate clearly  Ask for help if needed  Tell the truth  Express yourself appropriately. Downloaded from hlayiso.com

Learning activity 4.6 Module 4 Test your knowledge of this section – and practise expressing your opinions clearly and non-confrontationally – by completing Learning activity 4.6 in your Student’s Book. Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Orientation NQF Level 3

Summative assessment Module 4 Test your knowledge of this module by completing the Summative assessment of Module 4 in your Student’s Book. Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Orientation NQF Level 3

Mathematics NQF Level 2 Downloaded from hlayiso.com Life Orientation (Life Skills) NQF Level 3