ADR Report: Case Study of Betty and Shirley's Workplace Conflict

This report provides an analysis of a workplace conflict between Betty and Shirley, focusing on alternative dispute resolution (ADR) strategies. The report identifies the interests of both parties, including Shirley's desire for position and power and Betty's need for a healthy work environment. It explores alternatives to a negotiated agreement using the BATNA approach, suggesting options such as shifting the coat rack's location. The evaluation of options emphasizes the importance of finding a solution that serves the interests of both individuals. The conclusion highlights the effectiveness of ADR in resolving disputes by identifying interests, suggesting alternatives, and evaluating options, ultimately aiming for a mutually agreeable outcome.

ALTERNATIVE
DISPUTE
RESOLUTION

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
Identification of interests of Shirley and Betty.......................................................................1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................2
Alternatives to a negotiated agreement..................................................................................2
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................3
Description and evaluation of options....................................................................................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................3
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................5

INTRODUCTION
Alternative Dispute Resolution refers to a combination of different techniques, as well as
processes which could be used as an alternative to appropriately and effectively ensure that both
the disagreeing parties come adhere to a common viewpoint. Therefore, the report below is based
on case study of Betty and Shirley which is surrounded around a coat rack and their
organisational positions. Hence, the report covers interests of both the parties, along with
ensuring strong negotiation positions for them as well as description and evaluation of options
which could meet their interests.
TASK 1
Identification of interests of Shirley and Betty
According to the case study, there are two prominent interests of both Betty, as well as
Shirley, both of which are discussed below:
 Position and Power: These are the interests of Shirley, as the case study mentions her
applying to the position that was left by May. It seems to be her interest because when a
person or employee develops healthy and close relation with someone who has been at a
higher position than them and who lets them exercise control, it becomes their interest to
maintain the status quo, as could be seen from her behaviour towards the coat rack, as
well as succeed them and enjoy the perks of that particular position, along with power
(Blake, Browne and Sime, 2016).
 Isolation and Healthy Environment: Betty does not like to work in an environment
where she is being looked upon behind her shoulder. Moreover, as per the case study, she
seeks to make friends in her new workplace. This reflects her interests of isolation and
healthy environment. Its justification is that it sometimes individuals like to work in
isolation rather than with people around to enhance their productivity. However,
personally Betty might want to make friends with people for better rapport within the
higher management.
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TASK 2
Alternatives to a negotiated agreement
The case study revolves around how Shirley wants to keep using the coat rack near
workbench of Betty to exercise her control and how the latter dislikes her being looked upon by
Shirley while she passes by and nag about her untidiness within working (Sebenius, 2017).
Therefore, there are several possible alternatives to a negotiated agreement which are highlighted
below using BATNA negotiation approach:
Illustration 1: BATNA Negotiation Diagram
(Source: BATNA Negotiation Diagram, 2020)
Within the case Betty requires Shirley to hang her coat somewhere else other than the
coat rack which is her settlement range, whereas Shirley demands the coat rack to be used by her
as it has always been used by her within the office and the same acts as her settlement range.
Hence, few of alternatives for both these parties are discussed below:
 If Shirley offers to keep the coat rack reserved for herself, then Betty is more likely to go
off with alternative towards changing her place and work station somewhere more
isolated.
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 If Betty offers a vacant bench nearby Shirley’s place as a place to keep her coat, then the
latter is likely to adopt an alternative of getting a new demanding for the position of Betty
on grounds of inconvenience.
 Furthermore, an alternative which could help these parties is associated with shifting the
place of coat rack where it is suitable for both of them.
In relation to all these alternatives, the option in which the positioning of coat rack is being
changed is the best alternative, as it falls within Zone of Possible Agreement, considering the
fact that it serves interests of both the parties equally (Shamir, 2016).
TASK 3
Description and evaluation of options
As per the interests identified above, there are possible options which could be used in this
case to resolve the issue, which are mentioned below:
 Shirley giving into the fact that Betty is her senior and respects her personal space and
makes friends with her, which might help her exercise the amount of control and position
she used to have at time of May.
 Betty changing her habits of disorganised work and changing her place where there is no
inclusion of Betty.
 Another option is regarding Betty where she justifies her being in a senior position on
merit and proves the same with her results while the position of coat rack changes to a
point which is desired by both the parties.
Hence, out of these options, the best option which serves interests of both these individuals is
the one in which the coat rack is shifted to a common or agreed place (Reynolds, 2014). An
argument which governs this step is that it serves interests of both the parties, as Shirley will not
be peeking to Betty’s workbench and could exercise her control by using the coat rack. For
Betty, this would mean a better environment to work and prove her seniority, which would help
her enhance her performance. Moreover, proving the same to people might allow her to make
friends and work in a progressive environment.
CONCLUSION
Thus, it is concluded that alternative dispute resolution is an effective method towards
resolving an issue and bringing both parties to agree on subject matter. It is crucial that interests
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of both the parties involved are identified along with suggesting alternatives to negotiated
agreement which could be treated as BANTA. Lastly, it is essential that a range of options are
evaluated to serve interests of both the parties.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Blake, S.H., Browne, J. and Sime, S., 2016. A practical approach to alternative dispute
resolution. Oxford University Press.
Reynolds, J.W., 2014. Breaking BATNAs: Negotiation Lessons From Walter White. NML
Rev.. 45. p.611.
Sebenius, J.K., 2017. BATNA s in Negotiation: Common Errors and Three Kinds of
“No”. Negotiation Journal. 33(2). pp.89-99.
Shamir, Y., 2016. Alternative dispute resolution approaches and their application.
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