Aggression is behavior that is forceful, hostile or attacking. It is an intention to cause harm or an act intended to increase relative social dominance. Workplace aggression is any act of aggression, physical assault, threatening or coercive behavior that causes physical or emotional harm in a work setting . Aggression at workplace can also be to show or as a result of dissatisfaction and disapproval to other’s action.
Violence is defined by the World Health Organization as the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against a person, or against a group or community that either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, mal-development or deprivation. Workplace violence is an action or incident that physically or psychologically harms another person. It includes situations where employees and other people are threatened, attacked or physically assaulted at work . It ranges from threats and verbal abuse to physical assaults and even homicide. It can affect and involve employees, clients, customers and visitors. Violence is aggression; however aggression does not necessarily imply violence. When people talk about workplace violence they may be referring to a range of hostile acts – from threats and intimidation to homicide.. Workplace aggression includes violent acts as well as nonviolent acts such as harassment, intimidation, and threats that create a hostile work environment.
Aggression can occur at the organizational level and a person might act aggressively based on factors of changes in the work environment, job changes, or injustice. If a person feels that they are not being treated fairly in comparison to others, then they could display aggressive behaviors to their co-workers or even supervisors. Changes in the workplace, such as increased stress, fatigue or anxiety can lead to aggression.
Violence and aggression are workplace hazards. They may cause physical and
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