Develop solid policies and procedures (reporting off, lunch and break periods, vacation, benefits, sick time) and administer all policies the same across the board, with no deviation.
Train your managers and supervisors on effective communication.
Establish an “expected behavior” policy among all employees, write it and publish it in your company.
Develop goal setting for all levels of employees.
Do not micromanage your employees, stress freedom within established guidelines.
Develop a policy for issue resolution; give employees the steps to follow to resolve any issue.
Finally provide your employees with a wealth of information, develop car pooling, provide information on energy savings in the office and at home, suggest coupon exchanges, provide assistance numbers for free legal, counseling services, self help programs. The more information you provide the more employees can help themselves.
While we cannot avoid conflict, we can try to minimize it and provide a cohesive work environment.