When normal communication breaks down and there is no sharing anymore, office-mates can become ‘space invaders’. Very often, the situation can be resolved effectively by taking just a few simple steps...

Regular informal conversations with colleagues play a very important part in weaving the fabric of team spirit.

Smiling comes easily when we are among friends. Similarly, one could expect that it should not be so hard to smile – or in some way, acknowledge – our colleagues in the workplace.

Although around a hundred cases a year are reported to the Ombuds, several issues may still not be disclosed due to employee silence*.

Many conflicts between people could be avoided or resolved if both parties could understand the situation as if they were in the other’s shoes. Putting oneself into another’s position, either consciously or unconsciously, is called empathy.

Greg* is a student at CERN doing his doctoral thesis. His thesis adviser, Wilbur*, resides in a remote university and does not come to CERN very often. As a result, he and Greg interact mostly by phone or e-mail.

Luke* holds a key position in the coordination of a large project. He is also a recognized expert in modeling complicated structures.

Following the internal restructuring of a unit, a disagreement developed between the leader of the team and its members. Fred challenged John, the manager in charge of the unit, about his strategy, arguing that his plans would not be beneficial.