Almost every workplace incorporates some level of stress. The stress may be due to interacting with customers, meeting deadlines, negative peer relationships, or simply having too much work to accomplish and not enough time.
An additional stressor related to work that is especially present for many people today is the fear of retrenchment. Whatever your work situation is, there is sure to be some amount of stress that you experience on a daily basis.
There are many expectations when it comes to work performance and living up to these standards can be extremely stressful. Add to it difficult work relationships, and soon going to work can become an unpleasant experience.
As the stress builds, so does our intolerance of annoyances and petty details that can occasionally come up as we interact with co-workers, supervisors and customers.
The more pressured we feel to perform when we do not feel supported or do not feel heard, the more likely we are to become angry.
Very often, poor communication is at the centre of feeling frustrated. Communication is a two-way process, with one party sending a message and the other party receiving the message and then responding. If we continue to attempt to communicate and the message is either not being received or is received, but distorted by the listener, then chances are we are much more likely to eventually become frustrated and angry.
When does workplace anger become a problem?
While everyone experiences anger at work at some point, the way in which we handle it determines whether or not it is a problem. Some problematic behaviours include:
Angry Outbursts, Yelling and screaming at co-workers, customers and supervisors can be especially problematic, inappropriate, and often embarrassing.
Slamming, Hitting and Pushing, Reacting physically when we become angry or frustrated can not only result in damaging expensive business equipment, but can also result in automatic dismissal and even charges of assault.
Retaliation or Bullying - Retaliating against co-workers for real wrongs done against you (real or perceived) can take the form of undermining another’s work assignments, creating conflict with others or starting viscous rumors and engaging in office gossip.
Retaliation is a form of bullying. Retaliation or bullying very often can create a hostile workplace environment and can even result in legal action in addition to disciplinary actions by supervisors. It can also cause others in your workplace great unhappiness and even fear.
Displaced Anger - Another substantial problem with work-related anger is displacing the anger on others who have nothing to do with the situation that is the cause of our anger. Some people discover that they can hold their anger in at work, only to come home and take their frustration out on their spouses, children and other family members or friends.