Toggle navigation
LOGIN
FOR EMPLOYER
FOR EMPLOYER
Back
LOGIN HERE
BUY ONLINE
CONTACT US
0
Career Services
Home
Job Search
Job Search
Back
Jobs By Skills
Jobs By Company
Jobs By Function
Jobs By Industry
Jobs by Recruiter
Jobs For Women
Contract Jobs
Part Time Jobs
Freshers Jobs
Jobs by Designations
Back
Accounts Assistant Jobs
Admin Assistant Jobs
Analyst Jobs
Chef Jobs
Operations Manager Jobs
Pharmacist Jobs
Pilot Jobs
Receptionist Jobs
Sales Coordinator Jobs
Jobs by Function
Back
Administration Jobs
Airlines Jobs
Bank Jobs
Finance Jobs
HR Jobs
Hotels Jobs
Marketing Jobs
Sales Jobs
Teaching Jobs
View all Functions
Jobs by Industry
Back
Agriculture Jobs
Automobile Jobs
Constructions Jobs
Engineering Jobs
IT Jobs
Media Jobs
NGO Job
Oil and Gas Jobs
Pharma Jobs
View all Industry
Jobs by Skills
Back
Accounting Jobs
Customer Service Jobs
Data Entry Jobs
Driving Jobs
Facilities Management Jobs
Mechanical Engineering Jobs
RTO Jobs
Safety Jobs
Telemarketing Jobs
View all Skills
Courses
By Streams
By Course Type
Certifications
Diploma
CAREER TIPS
Job Search Strategy
Resume & Cover Letter
Interview Tips
Career Management
Salary Negotiations
Research Reports
More
Back
Free Job Alert
Find Companies
Psychometric Test
Employment Index
Top Consultants
Top Recruiters
Resume Services
Monster College
Search Tips
Data Entry Jobs
Freelance Jobs
Home Based Jobs
Online Jobs
Career Services
Monster Education
Career Center
Manage Settings
Feedback
Experience
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
Career Center - Tips and Advice
Home
Career Center
Work Life Balance
What's Eating You?
5 Tips to Simplify Your Work Life in the New Year
Improve your Productivity with These 5 Yoga Poses
6 office productivity hacks to make life at work better
7 signs your company has a great culture
The pursuit of work-life balance
Get ready to deskercise this World Health Day!
10 signs your boss hates you
Four fun pranks to play in office on April Fools' Day
How to keep up the good work during the Holy Month of Ramadan
Celebrating Working Dads this Father's Day
What's Eating You?
Share Now
Monster Contributing Writer
Mad that you were passed over for a big promotion again? Livid that the bootlickers always seem to get ahead in your organization? Perhaps it's time to consider whether the anger itself, however legitimate, is holding you back. Evidence suggests many of us are walking around the office feeling resentful, though we may be unaware of the cumulative toll bitter actions take on our careers and coworkers.
According to a report by Donald Gibson of Fairfield University and Sigal Barsade of Yale University, one out of four employees is substantially angry at work. The study, "The Experience of Anger at Work: Lessons from the Chronically Angry," indicates most workers are not so angry that they're ready to cause the boss physical harm, but they are angry enough to sabotage him.
Workplace anger is not only potentially harmful to the organization, but it can also cause serious health problems, including chronic anxiety, depression, high blood pressure and heart disease. Learning to deal with your anger constructively will improve your well-being and make you a more desirable and promotable employee.
Why Are So Many Employees Angry?
According to Gibson's survey, workplace anger is most often directed at an employee's supervisor or the organization in general. "Feelings of anger at the individual level are a signal that a wrong has been committed or that goals are being blocked," Gibson says.
I spoke with twelve employees from a variety of businesses about their anger at work. Each felt that one or more of the following caused the anger:
Employee was promised a raise, promotion or important project, and it did not happen.
Employee was told to do something he felt was wrong or incorrect.
Employee could not live up to a supervisor's expectations, because the expectations were too high or continuously changing.
Supervisor was a micromanager and criticized employee frequently.
Employee felt better qualified and skilled than his supervisor.
Another employee doing the same job made more money.
Sometimes the anger may stem from outside sources. Many times, employees are dealing with stressful events in their own lives, and the resulting anger can carry over to the workplace. Divorce, a death in the family, financial pressure, and serious illnesses can all cause an individual to become overwhelmed and irritated. Rarely are we taught to deal with loss and stressful situations, so we tend to bury those feelings, which can turn to anger or rage over time.
Steps to Control Anger Constructively
We all become irritated or angry every now and then. What can we do to control that anger and be more constructive? Gibson, who cowrote "Managing Anger in the Workplace" as a follow-up to the survey, offers the following strategies for controlling anger:
Avoid anger as much as possible. This doesn't mean suppress your feelings, but rather improve your outlook on yourself and life so there are fewer situations in which you would become angry.
Think about your anger and determine if it really makes sense given the situation.
Control your physical response to anger by doing constructive things, such as exercising, getting enough sleep and avoiding alcohol. The healthier you are, the more likely you are to respond appropriately to situations.
Let go of unmanageable anger. Many situations will be out of your control, so it is important to let go of this type of anger. Ask yourself, "Can I resolve whatever it is that's causing this anger?" If you can't, then you need to let it go.
If you feel anger and are having a difficult time dealing with it, see if your company has an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). EAP providers typically allow employees to see therapists in these circumstances. You don't have to live in a state of bitterness, anger or rage. If you deal effectively with your anger, you will increase your chances of being promoted at some point -- and of being an effective leader when the time comes.
When Anger Strikes:
Take several deep breaths.
Repeat a calming word or phrase in your mind, such as "relax" or "stay calm."
Slowly count to ten.
Ask yourself, "How would my favorite leader handle this situation?"
Avoid tensing up your muscles. As soon as you can, close your eyes and consciously think to unclench your jaw and loosen your muscles.
Listen to your favorite music.
When you're feeling angry after you leave work, change clothes as soon as you get home. This simple gesture will help you change your state of mind.
TRENDING ARTICLES
Thinking of a Career in Sales? Here's are the 6 Benefits of a Sales Job
Here's Why You Should Consider a Career as a Semiconductor Engineer
10 Common Interview Questions for an Entry Level Web Developer Job
6-Steps to Get an Entry-level Network Engineer Job in Singapore
5 Essentials When Applying for a Recruiter's Job
People who viewed this article also viewed
Nonverbal Communications: Escape the Pitfalls
Crawl Back to the Job You Quit?
Change How You Feel At Workplace
5 simple job search tips everyone forgets about
Pitfalls of Job Search
×
Monster Poll