A new study out of UBC suggests cat fights in the workplace are viewed more negatively than a conflict between two men or a man and a woman.

The research from the University of British Columbia’s Sauder School of Business found that participants found female-female conflicts were viewed more negatively with less of a chance to repair the relationship and more likely to negatively impact job satisfaction.

Those taking part were given one of three identical workplace scenarios involving two people. One scenario had the names of two men attached, another a man and a woman, and the third two women.

Both men and women viewed the female-female conflict more negatively.

"Conflict is normal, it can be constructive," says Leah Sheppard the PhD candidate who conducted the study. "It's not that we should necessarily try to eliminate all conflict, it's just a matter of women getting this bad rap when they're engaged in conflict."