‘In the particular school that I visited, conflict between the staff and the principal was brought about by the fact that the principal did not treat every staff member even-handedly. Some staff members, the so-called ‘favourites’ were treated with kid gloves. The problem started after some teachers, on different days, were absent from work. This was not a deliberate action. The following day, as was customary, teachers who were absent the previous day went to the principal's office to advance their reasons. Some were pardoned and others were given leave forms to complete. Although the teachers signed the leave forms it became obvious from their faces that they were far from being happy. They felt that their reason for being absent was valid and if other teachers were pardoned, why not them? Their dissatisfaction spread like wild fire in the staff room and the teachers in solidarity decided to go on a go slow. They started neglecting their duties and the most conspicuous reaction showed late-coming’ (Student in Education Management).

The principal of school X had a serious problem with one particular staff member who was also the union representative at the school. Ms Nkosi, the principal, knew that she had to handle the matter very cautiously if she did not want to have the union on her. However, after she had attended a conflict management workshop where she learnt some assertiveness techniques, and after she had investigated what her rights as a manager and those of the educator were, she decided to act.

The problem was that of late-coming in the morning and absence from classes to discuss union matters with other educators. When the educator was ten minutes late without filling in the attendance register correctly for the second time in one week, the principal called him in. She followed the OBEFR technique and said in a calm, friendly manner : ‘While I understand that you may have personal commitments, coming late to school means that you miss the early morning staff announcements. I am annoyed at having to repeat decisions and announcements to latecomers personally, and I want you to come on time as from now on.’