Signs of Workplace Aggression

Aggression is not always physical assault. Workplace aggression can be any act in which a person is abused, threatened, intimidated or assaulted in their workplace. It is also important to note that these behaviours must be seen in the context of the place and situation. A one-off occurrence could be a genuine mistake or difficulty. However repetitive intentional acts are more likely to be signs of aggression.

Swearing or Verbal Abuse:

Strong words may occasionally be used in certain workplaces. However, if the language is harsh, is used often and makes you feel threatened or disrespected, it could be a sign of workplace aggression.

Playing the Blame Game:

Constantly making an employee or colleague feel like they are responsible for mistakes, along with shaming or guilt tripping them is another sign of workplace aggression. It might also involve making excuses and justifying bad decisions.

Disrespecting Authority:

Deliberately delaying work, refusing to listen, talking back, lying, or threatening for personal or professional gain could be a form of aggression against the person in charge. This is often caused by jealousy, or a belief that they can do a better job.

Pushing the Limit of Acceptable Behaviour:

This could include threats (overt or otherwise), taunts, intentionally excluding someone or simply treating individuals in a way which makes them feel violated or unsafe. However, all these actions are masked as seemingly innocent or unobjectionable ones.

Withholding Information and Taking Credit:

This includes deliberately not providing someone with complete information so that they fail a task. It could also involve taking undue credit for the work done by someone else.

Coercion:

Forcing someone to do or say something against their will, and against their better judgement, usually for personal gain, is a sign of aggression at the workplace.

Embarrassing or Belittling:

It involves degrading or humiliating someone in public. It could also include undermining his or her work and ideas, and hurtful criticism.