"Forty-seven million Americans experience psychological or physical aggression while on the job" says researcher Aaron Schat, assistant professor at the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University in Canada.
He adds, "Interestingly, workers pinpoint the general public as the most significant source of this aggression, as opposed to other co-workers or supervisors."
More than 40 percent of American workers say they were subject to psychological aggression in the form of being yelled at, insulted, or threatened with physical harm, reports HealthDay News
About six percent reported being slapped, kicked or attacked with a weapon. Some 96 percent of workers who endured physical violence also reported psychological abuse.
Almost 25 percent of those surveyed reported aggression from customers, clients, patients or other members of the public. Fifteen percent said the aggression came from co-workers, and 13 percent reported abuse from their bosses or supervisors.
"Exposure to aggressive behavior at work is associated with a wide range of negative consequences for individuals and organizations; including negative work attitudes, reduced well-being, and, in cases of physical violence, bodily injury or death."
"The fact that such a large percentage of the American population has experienced workplace aggression demonstrates the need to address it," Schat says.
The survey findings are published in the Handbook of Workplace Violence.
