Conflict Resolution & Negotiation Skills

Build real conflict resolution and negotiation skills for German workplaces. Learn mediation, BetrVG, AGG law, and bargaining strategies that work.

Two businessmen having a serious discussion at a table in a modern office.

Overview: Conflict Resolution & Negotiation Skills

Sound familiar? An argument on the team escalates. People stop really talking to each other. The work piles up. This happens in German companies every day - and it costs serious money. According to a study by the Institute of the German Economy, unresolved conflicts cause around 50 billion euros in economic damage in Germany every year. Employees spend an average of 15 percent of their working time on conflicts. For managers, that figure can climb to 30 to 50 percent of their weekly working hours.

This is exactly where our course Conflict Resolution and Negotiation Skills comes in. You'll learn how conflicts arise in Germany, how to recognise them early, and how to resolve them professionally. You'll also understand the legal foundations that apply in German working life - from the Works Constitution Act to the General Equal Treatment Act (AGG). This is knowledge every manager, every HR professional, and every works council member needs.

The Conflict Resolution and Negotiation Skills course combines theory and practice. You'll learn recognised frameworks such as Glasl's escalation model. At the same time, you'll practise real negotiation situations — from collective bargaining to social plans during restructuring. By the end, you'll be fully prepared not just to resolve conflict, but to actively prevent it.

Office team confused during a discussion with documents spread across the desk.

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, you will be able to:

  • Recognise conflicts early and assess them correctly
  • Apply Glasl's escalation model to real situations
  • Confidently apply the key legal foundations of workplace conflict in Germany (Works Constitution Act, AGG, Mediation Act)
  • Build or improve internal conflict management systems
  • Negotiate professionally and purposefully — within teams, with leadership, and in collective bargaining
  • Use mediation and other dispute resolution methods effectively
  • Help shape a sustainable conflict culture within your own organisation

Course Curriculum

6 Sections 24 Lectures 6 Hours
  • Konfliktmanagement in the German Professional Context
  • Sachlichkeit, Ordnung, and Consensus Norms
  • Conflict as an Organisational Governance Tool
  • Key German Conflict Resolution Institutions
  • Conflict Governance under the Works Constitution Act
  • AGG Compliance, Harassment, and Complaint Mechanisms
  • Mediation Law and Court-Linked ADR
  • Labour Courts and Settlement Practices
  • Glasl’s Conflict Escalation Model
  • Structural and Systemic Conflict Drivers
  • Power and Authority in German Hierarchies
  • Psychological Safety and De-escalation Norms
  • Internal Conflict Management Systems
  • Works Councils in Conflict Prevention
  • Ombuds and Internal Mediation Roles
  • Escalation Paths and the Einigungsstelle
  • Collective Bargaining and Industrial Disputes
  • Negotiation in Co-Determination Structures
  • Commercial Negotiation under German Law
  • Negotiating Restructuring and Social Plans
  • German Conflict Case Studies
  • Economic Costs of Organisational Conflict
  • Legal and Reputational Risk Exposure
  • Building a Sustainable German Conflict Culture

Who is this course suitable for?

  • Managers who want to confidently resolve team conflicts
  • HR professionals building conflict management systems within a company
  • Works council or staff council members
  • Compliance officers who need to stay on top of legal risk
  • Early-career professionals who want to strengthen their negotiation skills from the start
  • Freelancers and consultants who support clients through conflict situations
  • Anyone looking to specifically build soft skills in conflict resolution and negotiation

Requirements

  • No prior knowledge of conflict management needed
  • Basic German language skills to follow the course content
  • Internet access for the online learning platform
  • An interest in communication, law, and workplace collaboration

Career opportunities

  • HR Officer specialising in Conflict Management - responsible for internal conflict processes and employee satisfaction. Approx. €45,000–60,000 gross per year.
  • Mediator (Commercial Mediation) - facilitates neutrally between conflicting parties, often self-employed or in-house. Approx. €50,000–75,000 gross per year, depending on workload.
  • Compliance Manager - oversees legal requirements and complaint channels within a company. Approx. €55,000–80,000 gross per year.
  • Team Lead or Manager - applies conflict resolution and negotiation skills in daily leadership work. Approx. €50,000–70,000 gross per year.
  • Organisational Development Consultant — helps companies build a healthy conflict culture. Approx. €60,000–90,000 gross per year.
  • Works Council Member - no separate salary tier, but valuable practical experience for future career steps.

The salary figures above are general estimates and may vary by industry, region, and experience.

Certification information


Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive a Conflict Resolution & Negotiation Skills certificate documenting your knowledge & skills in this area.

Certificate Image

Frequently Asked Questions

01 What exactly does a mediator do? +

A mediator facilitates neutrally between two or more conflicting parties, aiming for a solution all sides can accept. The legal basis for this is set out in the Mediation Act.

02 Is mediation training legally required in Germany? +

No. The title "mediator" isn't a protected profession. However, anyone wanting to work as a certified mediator should be able to show a recognised training certificate.

03 What's the difference between mediation and arbitration/conciliation? +

In mediation, the parties develop their own solution. In conciliation, a neutral party proposes a solution that can be accepted or rejected.

04 Which type of training is worthwhile for workplace conflict management? +

Practical online courses like this one are well suited, especially for managers, HR staff, and works council members. It's important that legal foundations like the Works Constitution Act and the AGG are covered too.

05 How much does a conflict manager or mediator earn in Germany? +

This depends heavily on experience, industry, and employment type. Employees typically earn between €45,000 and €75,000 gross per year. Self-employed mediators usually charge by the hour.

06 What are the most common types of workplace conflict? +

Typical examples include role conflicts, communication problems, resource conflicts, and conflicts between managers and teams. Many of these can be prevented through early communication.

07 How long does training in conflict resolution and negotiation take? +

This varies by provider. Online courses can often be completed flexibly at your own pace, usually within a few weeks.

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