Desktop Rage: Real Trend or Just a Bunch of Hooey??
When Reuters reported last week declaration that Desk Rage was put on the rise, traditional media outlets and the bloggers embraced it through the enthusiasm of casual Fridays.
There was even-handed one minor problem with the report. It was recycled. Relying onward old data. Very old given conditions. Research from 2000 and 2001. There article doesn’t come out a specifically say its a extending trend, but its written to lead the reader to that conclusion. Here’s the lede sentence: Get out of the way, road rage. Here comes desk rage. This is followed up with, "Anger in the workplace — employees and employers who are sour, insulting, short-tempered or worse — is shockingly common and likely augmenting" ( confident and italics added for emphasis_
How can Reuters say anger in the workplace is growing if they are relying on decayed research.
One of the clues that there was something faultily about the story was the lack of references to source of the research. Instead of saying who conducted the research, the article simply said,
Nearly half of U.S. workers in America report yelling and verbal abuse on the job, with roughly a quarter saying it has driven them to tears, research has shown.
Other research showed one-sixth of workers reported resentment at labor has led to property damage, while a tenth reported physical violence and fear their workplace might not be safe.
A quick scan of Google uncovers the research on desk raving.
In 2000, Caravan Opinion Research wrote about the issue.
In 2001 The Monitor on Psychology wrote about the issue.
It was picked up to this time afresh in 2004 by CNN.com and Careerbuilder
While there is nothing wrong through revisiting a topic, to rely on old data is wrong. The fact is since 9/11 corporations accept increased their zero tolerance policies. There is a heightened awareness that yelling, screaming and being rude are non acceptable behaviors. If there is a tendency, it’s to an awareness that desk rage is not acceptable.
In 2007, Bob Sutton, a professor at Stanford wrote The No Asshole Rule– a book providing guidelines on how to create a civilized work environment It’s a best seller.
On his blog, Sutton provides a No Asshole Honor Role during the term of companies that don’t tolerate this kind of behavior and lots of other great knowledge for managers and employees who don’t be missed to deal with desk rage.
Desk rage seems to be a without exception experience. In 2006, a Russian promotions agency created a desk rage video to promote a nutritional drink Actimel. The concept was that Actimel provides the the nutrients to help employees deal with the stress of work.
From You Tube
May your week be filled with joy and pleasantry.