by Maria C Collins

Created on: August 29, 2010   Last Updated: August 30, 2010

Aggression abounds in the workplace. Competition for promotion, pride, power issues, time pressures and many other factors all mean that some people are aggressive at work. Physical aggression has no place in any workplace, but sadly, some people still believe aggression can get them what they want or where they want to go. Mental aggression can be much more subtle and undermine your confidence much more than physical aggression. It is best to know how to deal with aggression from others before it escalates into a situation.

Sometimes people speak aggressively without realizing that they are doing so. If you are a tenderhearted soul, this can hurt. In an emergency, for example, where time is crucial someone may shout at you to do something. They do not mean anything by it. You have to remember the phrase “in the heat of the moment”, for that is what it is and try not to be so sensitive. They are shouting at the situation and not at you. Angry customers are also angry at the situation and not at you personally.

Sometimes you may need to assert yourself. That does not mean that you have a screaming match with the aggressive person, it simply means that you have to take charge of the situation between you. Sometimes people are aggressive because they feel that no one is listening to their opinions. They may shout because they are frightened that unless they do, no one will hear. If you treat them kindly and respectfully, they will realize that they have no need to shout and calm down. It can also make an aggressor realize that s/he spoke too roughly and shame them into apologizing.

If a colleague is constantly aggressive towards you, you may have tell them politely but firmly not to continue to speak to or treat you in an aggressive manner. Sometimes in any area of life, you come up against a real bully and in this case, you may have to speak to a manager about them. If the bullying does not stop, you may have to go to the Human Resources department or consult your union representative if you are a union member. In the United Kingdom, bullying is considered a health and safety matter and most trade union health and safety stewards will advise any worker, whether s/he is a union member or not, on such a matter.

The most important thing to remember, if you are suffering from aggression at work, is that you do not have to be a victim. There are things that you can do about it. You must first decide whether the person is directing his aggression towards you personally or at the situation. Then you must decide how to deal with the situation and then act immediately, do not allow the problem to drift and escalate. Take back control, counter such behaviour immediately. Aggression abounds at work; dealing with it is a test of character.

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