ian the pedestrian

Picture this: You’re sitting at your desk, minding your own business, when suddenly your boss starts yelling at a colleague. Not only is it loud and startling, but the language being used is hurtful and belittling. Not exactly a fun way to start the day, right? It’s like being on a peaceful nature hike and suddenly encountering a bear. Not cool. And let’s be real, nobody wants to be the one to tell Yogi he can’t have that pic-a-nic basket – or worse, having to explain to Boo-Boo why he can’t have any honey.

The thing is, verbal aggression in the workplace is not only unpleasant, it can also have some serious consequences. For starters, it can create a hostile work environment. Nobody wants to work in a place where they feel uncomfortable or intimidated. And when employees feel that way, productivity can take a nosedive. It’s like trying to work while someone is blasting heavy metal music in your ear. Not exactly conducive to getting things done – unless you’re into that sort of thing – or you’re secretly a headbanger.

But it’s not just about productivity. Verbal aggression can also damage relationships between colleagues. When someone is yelled at or belittled, it can create feelings of resentment and anger. This can lead to tension and conflict in the workplace. And when colleagues are at odds with each other, it can make it difficult for them to work together effectively. It’s like trying to row a boat with one person paddling forward and the other paddling backward. Not going to get very far – and let’s face it, nobody wants to be stuck up that creek without a paddle – or a lifejacket.

And let’s not forget about trust. Trust is essential for building strong relationships in the workplace. But when someone is yelled at or belittled, it can erode trust. And once trust is lost, it can be difficult to rebuild. It’s like trying to put toothpaste back in the tube – not easy – and let’s be honest, nobody has time for that – or the patience.

Verbal aggression can also have a negative impact on employee morale. When employees are subjected to this kind of behavior, it can make them feel undervalued and disrespected. This can lead to decreased job satisfaction and motivation. And when employees aren’t motivated, they’re less likely to go above and beyond in their work – it’s like trying to run a marathon after eating an entire pizza by yourself – not going to happen – unless you’re some kind of superhero.

And if all that wasn’t enough, there are also legal consequences to consider. Harassment and discrimination laws protect employees from being subjected to a hostile work environment. So if an employer allows verbal aggression in the workplace, they could find themselves in hot water – like boiling hot water with no escape hatch.

So what’s the bottom line? Verbal aggression in the workplace is a no-no – like wearing socks with sandals kind of no-no (seriously, don’t do it). It can create a hostile work environment, damage relationships between colleagues, decrease productivity, negatively impact employee morale, and even have legal consequences – like having to wear an orange jumpsuit kind of consequences (not exactly fashionable).

So let’s all do our part to promote positive communication in the workplace – because nobody wants to be known as “that guy” or “that gal” (you know who you are). After all, a little kindness goes a long way – like free donuts on Friday kind of long way – or even better – free pizza on Monday (because who doesn’t love pizza?).