Violent co workers
Does anyone else have co-workers who pound their fists on their desks really loud when they get frustrated? Of course since all the cubes are attached to each other, EVERYONE's desk ends up shaking.
One of the guys at my company even brought in a punching bag to take out his anger.
Yes, I am being facetious.
On a serious note, have you asked the guy politely to stop? Most people don't realize that their behavior is annoying others until someone points it out to them.
Wow! If that kind of behavior was allowed at my company, I'd be looking for another job asap!
Grownups should be able to control themselves.
WB
I'm not sure I'd call this "violent" behavior. Violence is aggression with intent in hurting: bullying, hitting people, damaging property, etc. Hitting a punching bag is often just that--punching a bag! Do you think people who do archery go around hunting down human quarry?
There's a difference between banging your fists on the desk in frustration, and banging your hands on your co-worker.
Now, saying that--this isn't acceptable behavior, because it is disruptive to you and others. And that's something you need to bring up to your manager. Just as much as many other behaviors.
Actually, VermontGal, hitting IS violent behavior. With all the workplace violence and shootings these days, I wouldn't stay around anyone who couldn't control their temper any better than that. It's unbalanced behavior, and it doesn't get better without serious counseling/therapy work.
"People who do archery" (sometimes called "archers") are engaging in a sporting activity. Same with boxers, wrestlers and hunters. I do not expect them to shoot or hit me or any other human being.
WB
I detest working around people like that. In my last job, there were women who constantly engaged in shouting catfights, made obscene gestures--one was in her 60s. I used to leave to take a walk outside so I would not have to be privy to the reason for the fight.
Do you have a workplace violence policy? They do not only address violent conduct, most include threatening behavior, intimidation.......
I'm all for swearing, just not hall brawls and catfights with women bigger than me.
I don't know I think aggressive outlets that do know harm to others can be helpful at times. I once led a project of 60 very diverse consultants, add to this mix a client group of 75 very diverse individuals. The project was 28 months long. It was a tough project and at times could be and was very contentious. We had a very large building all to ourselves with most of the space unused. The client project manager and I came up with the idea that we needed some outlets for our team, some focused on team building and some focused on the idea that people were spending anywhere from 10 to 14 hours a day at work. Here is what we did:
- Set up the bubble wrap room. Yes it is exactly what it sounds like. We bought rolls of bubble wrap (with big and small bubbles) and we taped layers of it to the floor with double sided tape. Smaller teams regularly used the room just to go in and have fun stomping the bubbles. Surprising how much fun it was and how silly adults can be. This often happened after particularly difficult team meetings, sometimes meetings were even stopped to go to the bubble wrap room. Only rule? Replace the bubble wrap when you are done.
- We set up the team dojo room. We hung two heavy bags. We also had two Punch Mans (electronic man shaped that were designed to teach to punch). We had mats on the floor. We had a couple of bikes and a couple of treadmills. We had free weights. Yes we set up our own on-site gym. We bought most of the equipment at garage sales in the area (except our Punch Mans).
- Regularly went out for Team Paint Ball
- Regularly had Pool Tournaments (team against team)
Lots of competition. Some aggression. Nothing wrong with it as long as it is focused and contained.