Industry News
Be Polite and Keep Your Head Down
Desk Rage in Today's Office Environment
Is the guy in the cubicle next to you a raging bull? Do you cringe every time you
talk to the purchasing manager because she yells at you for submitting sloppy purchase
requisitions?
You may be one of the many workers in America dealing with "desk rage" which is
a relatively new phenomenon in the workplace.
Desk rage is a name given to angry behavior that can go from verbal to physical
expression. For example, if the raging bull throws a tape dispenser at you, that
is desk rage. Some experts believe this is a trend while others think it is a symptom
of a more serious problem.
"Volence both verbal and otherwise is a huge workplace issue, and that makes me
wonder—why do we need to manufacture a bogus trend like "desk rage" to get people
to take it seriously. Says John Hollan, Editor of Workforce Management in a recent
online article for AOL.
The trend may not be as bogus as Hollan thinks. According to a survey commissioned
by Integra Realty Resources in New York City, 42 percent of the 1,305 workers surveyed
say yelling and verbal abuse occurs at their workplace and 10 percent say they worked
in places where physical violence has occurred.
The cause of all this verbal and physical abuse seems to be stress. Nearly two-thirds
(61 percent) believe workplace stress is a problem for them at least occasionally.
Nevertheless, 32 percent of American workers believe rudeness of co-workers and
clients is a major source of stress. Twenty-nine percent blame it on an excessive
workload.
Whatever causes desk rage, the answer is to control yourself and your reaction to
the rage directed at you. Your career could depend on it.
For the complete story, go to
http://jobs.aol.com/article/_a/stand-up-to-desk-rage-and-rude-people-at/20080729121609990001
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