Constant Conflict
Justin Hanna
I am currently doing part time work while
studying as a console operator at a Caltex servicestation. It may sound
like a very easy way to earn money however it is such abusy, chaotic
place when busy, it places a huge amount of conflict andresulting
stress on staff, the manager and customers alike. Recently there
hasbeen a great deal of publicity on the price of petrol. There is a
petrolpricing system these days which makes fuel the cheapest on a
Tuesday afternoonor Wednesday morning. This is when the majority of
people are filling up theirvehicles. The approach – avoidance conflict
that comes about for customers inthis situation is “do I fill up my car
while it’s cheap and save money versushaving to wait in the line up for
20 minutes”. Sometimes when petrol is cheaperon a Tuesday there will be
severe cases of road rage in the car park ascustomers fight for
position in the que.
So muchconflict can build up as
these customers go from the conflict of whether to getpetrol or not, to
frustration of waiting, being anxious about possibly beinglate due to
waiting so long and finally anger building up at people in front ofthem
taking so long. So many times defence mechanisms are observable
abouttheir stress as customers come in to pay for their fuel,
rationalization,intellectualisation and projection being the most
popular used by customers. Itis not just customers however placed under
stress and conflict in this workingenvironment. Myself, from a staff
point of view, can say that I experience conflictalso within the job.
Being predominantly younger uni students working at thislocation, many
times staff members call in ‘sick.’
The Managerspolicy
on this is that the staff member unable to work has to find
areplacement. So often on my days off I am faced with the approach
avoidanceconflict. I want the money that comes with working but don’t
want to standbehind the counter all afternoon. This conflict for us
staff can also lead tofrustration, anxiety and anger resulting from one
simple phone call from astaff member. People with a type A personality
are placed under even morestress in this situation as they are
constantly trying to keep busy and get somuch done at once that they
may find it difficult to say no to working even ifthey have a full
schedule.
The manager of theorganization also has conflicts to
deal with on a daily basis. Being theindividual responsible for wages
and expenses in the company, he has to decidewhether to employ a second
staff member on busy days or for himself to helpout. This conflict
would be the avoidance – avoidance conflict; not wanting topay wages
and also not wanting to take time away from his other important work.
It is obvious from these above examples thatconflicts and disputes
arise in this environment on a constant basis. Stressresults from these
situations after the conflict turns to frustration, anxietyand anger.
This brief example into a common day at work shows the constantconflict
we experience in everyday life. These conflicts we encounter lead usto
make choices and decisions that can affect small aspects of our lives
orchange our lives dramatically.