HR Basics is a series of short lessons, designed to highlight what you need to know about a particular human resource management topic. In today’s HR Basics, we explore workplace conflict, understanding more about conflict in the workplace, and how to solve it. Workplace conflict is a perceived divergence of interests, a belief that parties current aims are incompatible. Anytime people work together, conflict is a part of ‘doing business’. Conflict is a normal and natural part of any workplace. When it occurs, there is a tendency for morale to be lowered, an increase in absenteeism and decreased productivity.