Workplace violence and aggression: When you do not want your company on the news

Abstract

This chapter provides a history and overview of workplace violence and aggression research and a detailed description of the nature and prevalence of this phenomenon. This includes a discussion of both physical (fatal and nonfatal) and nonphysical (verbal, psychological, emotional) forms of aggression as well as a discussion about the substantial individual and organizational costs (both human and financial) associated with aggressive workplace behavior. In addition, I describe the individual, social, and situational causes of workplace aggression and violence and offer several approaches for the prevention and management of this problem. Embedded in this discussion, I raise several ethical concerns that must be addressed in dealing with these issues.