Why You Shouldn’t Get Mad at Work

Reader Comments
Back to blog

i would like to know what do you do if an co-worker is hitting you?

Kc of PA 5:45PM February 23, 2011

'This doctrine requires each side to have enough force that if one is attacked by another, the other would respond with equal force, or a force that is greater. However, no one wants to be the first to attack, which keeps everyone under control and at “peace.”'
As for the MAD doctrine the writer talks about, hopefully that time of hair trigger response has passed.
I have noticed a large increase in hostile comments on the internet in the past few years. I grew up with the values of being thoughtful, and if necessary, 'hold your tongue' ....
It is important to stand up for yourself, if you are truly being disrespected or mistreated at work. Generally there are channels for that, at least at larger companies. That doesn't mean going into a tirade, either with your boss, or worse yet, with a crowd gathered to see a performance.
Show the best side of yourself as much as possible, no one is perfect of course. In the end, you will have far more allies than 'enemies'. People notice how you behave and those who are difficult will be remembered that way, and I suspect much less likely to find new work in the event the old situation did not work out.

Tim B of WA 7:34PM February 14, 2011

You are not hired to be a whipping post, don't take it. Do your job and if that is not enough for them, or they refuse to stop slandering and harassing you, walk out or/and sue them.

John of GA 3:20AM February 13, 2011

I've seen the enemy and it is us! This pertains to the person having a fit of anger toward management and to management itself.
Getting angry at management is like spittin' into the wind. Even if you are correct in your anger, you have become a problem, and management doesn't want a problem. And they will get rid of the problem. In this case you are your worst enemy.
However, most of the time, management is at the root of the problem. If management could see this, most of the problems on the job would be resolved to everyone's benefit. But competent, compassionate, knowledgeable management is rare. They cannot see that THEY are the problem!
So, what to do? You're right and they're wrong. It is so bad it is making you feel sick. Find another job? The next one may be just as bad! Walk out? No unemployment insurance! This is the problem. Workers, unless you're in a union, have no rights. Here in New York, it's "Work at Will." They can fire you for any reason. And you can be the best worker in the company! It doesn't matter!
So, what to do? Stand up for yourself! No one should become the company "whipping boy" or have to endure a medieval ordeal for 8 hours a day. And becoming the "disgruntled employee" isn't a way out. If EVERYONE spoke their mind in an intelligent way, management would have to listen. And if that isn't possible yet, then you at least will keep your dignity, and have your say. Be prepared to leave, but at least you can leave with dignity
I can't say I've achieved this yet, but I'm trying. If you want to hear my war stories, just ask.
Thanks.

Tristan of NY 12:00PM February 12, 2011

The outburst I had, if you could call it that, involved a health issue. A company that I worked for as a temp. (most of the workers were temps.) had, who I believe was the Supervisor, over people in the section I worked in. Myself and the other temps. were never really told what her position was. She was also a temp. and had only been with the Company for 3 months when I began. From what I could tell, she had no experience in management or business. When she had an issue with an employee, she would call the other employees into the office and ask them questions about that employee. I did not feel that I was to be management as that was not my roll. She wanted me to rat on a co-worker that I liked. What a gang mentality! She even asked my advice on what she should do about that particular co-worker. I didn't allow myself to be manipulated by her, so she went by what the others said. The next thing I knew, the co-worker that I liked was let go. What backstabbers. About 3 of us were jammed into a tiny office. I was so close to a new co-worker they brought in that I bumped into her with my chair every time I tried to get up. This particular co-worker developed what sounded like Whooping Cough. She coughed hard and consistently all day long for 2 weeks without covering her mouth. I then informed management about the problem. They chose to do nothing. I had no health insurance and couldn't afford such with the wage I was getting. When the problem with the co-worker had not been addressed and she came in for the 3rd consecutive week coughing without letting up, etc., I told her to please cover her mouth and asked why her mother hadn't taught her that. Then, I noticed that the lady over us was calling the other 2 employees into her office during the day, so I knew something was up. I knew that they were probabaly all bad-mouthing me as I had gone through this drama before with past employees the lady wanted rid of. When I showed up the next day, no one was in my office. I knew something was up. A couple of hours later, a lady from the temp. agency escorted me out. It was very awkward as this lady was new and the guy I had gone through at the temp. agency had moved to California. At least, that's what I was told. This was the strangest work ordeal I have ever dealt with. My HEALTH is more important than any job. If you don't have your health, nothing else in life matters much. Management's inability to rectify the situation was inexcusable. That was truly an unsatisfactory work environment that needed to be corrected.

Suzanne of CO 9:56AM February 12, 2011

In today's economic environment, employees are already subject to greater stresses than they were in years past. Couple that with employers feeling squeezed and forcing greater workloads and "multitasking" to the point of abuse. As far as respect going a long way it is a two way street, and the disrespect usually flows down from the top. Even in this economic environment, I have walked away from two jobs in the past year due to abusive, untrustworthy, disrespectful employers.

Stephan of NY 8:32AM February 12, 2011

The outburst you have today could come back to haunt you a year or two later when management is selecting who to layoff. Layoffs are a great way for managers to get rid of people without having to justify it.

Jeff of CA 2:07PM February 11, 2011