Conflict Management
Conflicts can arise whenever people with individual character traits meet. Tensions, differences and conflicts in companies and organisations are quite normal. Conflicts can be necessary or even productive if they are taken seriously and all persons involved actively deal with them. Conflict Management at TU Dresden therefore pursues the goals of creating a culture of cooperation and active involvement in conflict situations.
Offers and Activities
The voluntary conflict navigators at TU Dresden are the first point of contact for all workplace problems and conflicts. They advise and support those involved in the conflict, playing a conciliatory and mediatory role. Conflict navigators work neutrally, impartially, and are bound by confidentiality.
- Cost: free of charge
- Language: German and English
The conflict navigators can be contacted by email at: .
Contact persons and further information can be found on the website of the conflict navigators.
Mediation is a voluntary process. The prerequisite is that all parties involved must agree. Specially trained external mediators then help as independent third parties in the constructive resolution of conflicts. They are impartial, i.e. they support all sides and provide a framework in which everyone's view of the problem can be adequately appreciated. The goal of mediation is to reach a mutual agreement that meets the needs and interests of all parties and thus allows them to look constructively to the future.
It is a process that is provided in cooperation between the Occupational Health Service and the Center for Continuing Education. A pool of external mediators is available and can be engaged as needed. The procedure is confidential.
If you are interested, please contact Jochen Richter from Occupational Health Service.
Psychological Counseling · Counselor for Matters of Addiction
NameDipl.-Psych. Jochen Richter
Send encrypted mail via the SecureMail portal (for TUD external users only).
Considerable demands in work and private life often lead to conflicts and burdens that are not easily dealt with alone. The psychologists of the Occupational Health Services at TU Dresden offer the employees of TU Dresden advice on topics such as difficulty with stress and recovery, uncertainties in dealing with (mentally) ill colleagues, symptoms of exhaustion and depression, self-doubt, fears, addictions, as well as other work-related and private topics that can lead to stress. Dealing with conflicts can also be a reason to seek out advice.
- Cost: free of charge
- Language: German and English
Further information, including contact details, can be found on the website of the Occupational Health Services.
Directorate 2 – Personnel is responsible for personnel management at TU Dresden (with the exception of the Faculty of Medicine). Its areas of responsibility include the processing of, as well as supporting and advising in, all personnel matters, especially regarding contracts and their implementation, legal matters, travel expenses, invoices, including further training and education for employees. Furthermore, Directorate 2 – Personnel advises on topics such as reconciling work and care for university members, pregnancy, birth and maternity/paternity leave, family-friendly working conditions, as well as the return to work. Directorate 2 – Personnel is also the complaints body for violations of the General Equality Act (Allgemeines Gleichbehandlungsgesetz, AGG).
- Cost: free of charge
- Language: German
Further information, including contact details, can be found on the website of Directorate 2 – Personnel.
Personnel Representation Council represents the interests of the employees in matters concerning the employer. Employees can contact the Personnel Representation Council with enquiries regarding the employment process, salary groups, as well as in the case of rejection of holiday applications. The Personnel Representation Council also advises on safety at work and acts as a contact partner when conflicts arise.
On the internet and intranet pages of the Personnel Representation Council of TU Dresden, there is a comprehensive guide to questions concerning employment at TU Dresden. Open consultation hours are offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays, i.e. prior registration is not necessary. You are also welcome to make an appointment if these times are not convenient. Attending a consultation at the Personnel Representation Council is considered work time.
- Cost: free of charge
- Language: German and English
Further information, including contact details, can be found on the website of the Personnel Representation Council.
Young people and apprentices employed at TU Dresden can contact the Youth and Apprentice Representation with all questions relating to work and apprenticeships. These may include e.g. problems in the workplace, with the superior or with other apprentices (such as bullying). Furthermore, the group advises on topics such as stress, time pressure, health problems, barrier-free workplace design and equality according to the General Equality Act (Allgemeines Gleichbehandlungsgesetz, AGG).
- Cost: free of charge
- Language: German
Further information, including contact details, can be found on the website of the Youth and Apprentice Representation.
Liaison Officers deal with matters concerning young researchers at the faculties of TU Dresden and act as contact persons for young researchers and doctoral students. They advise and mediate, especially in problematic situations.
Further information, including contact details, can be found on the Quality Assurance website under the tab ‘Good Scientific Practice’ at TU Dresden.
The Liaison Officer of your faculty can be found on this list.
Trained advisors and coaches of the Graduate Academy offer individual conflict counseling for doctoral students, postdocs and supervisors. Confidentiality is guaranteed and the work is solution-oriented and appreciative. If necessary, contact is made with other support agencies at the TU Dresden. The services offered by the Graduate Academy also include mediation involving all parties to the conflict. The counseling service is open to all members of the Graduate Academy. The counseling sessions and mediations can take place in German or in English.
You can find more information on the conflict related offers of the Graduate Academy here: https://tu-dresden.de/ga/beratung/konfliktberatung-und-mediation
In workshops and as part of the Center for Continuing Education's program for managers, you will receive answers to the following questions:
How do I resolve conflicts constructively and gain more room to maneuver in emotionally charged situations? How do I manage to communicate in such a way that conflicts do not escalate or, ideally, do not arise in the first place?
Using examples from your everyday life, your own experience and reflection, as well as theoretical input, you will learn how to shape your professional interaction in an appreciative manner and resolve conflicts constructively.