Risk of violence?

**Posts:** 4 · by **undergrad101** » Wed Dec 12, 2012 6:24 pm

I have a co-worker who is verbally aggressive, and has had several complaints about making clients/service users cry. But at our last team meeting, she wouldn't sit down and was pacing the room, yelled several 'I hate' comments and when challenged by another co-worker replied 'I don't f***ing care'. This woman is in her 40s.

I've been told she has aways been like this and it's 'just her way' but I think she's become more aggressive in the last few weeks. If she has been like this 'for years' - is there any danger to her becoming violent with our clients?

Thanks for reading.

**Posts:** 2122 · by **Herbie306** » Wed Dec 12, 2012 8:30 pm

Have you spoken to your manager about this? If not, it might be a good idea.

**Posts:** 12131 · by **Richard@DecisionSkills** » Wed Dec 12, 2012 10:58 pm

Certainly there is risk, but statistically speaking women in the workforce rarely commit an act of physical violence in comparison to male counterparts. When women do commit an act, it is normally a person close to them, so unless she is intimately involved with a client, I would guess the risk is low. Not saying it can´t happen and not condoning the behavior you are describing, simply saying statistically risk of physical violence would be low.

**Posts:** 84 · by **EFTFreedom** » Mon Jan 21, 2013 7:15 am

I don't think she will become violent from what you wrote. But not being there I can't say for sure.

My first thought is that she does this because so far she has been allowed to get away with it. If things didn't go her way when she acted out she would think twice about it. It sounds like she just wants to intimidate people and feel like she has something over them.

**Posts:** 2 · by **Counselling Tutor** » Tue Feb 05, 2013 11:14 pm

I ever trust statistics when it comes to violence ......

My advice would be to blow the whistle on this woman , upsetting service in the way you describe could have catastrophic consiqences.

She obviously is not coping and just about managing her anger , my advice keep out of meas reach and make sure there is nothing sharp around.

Rory

**Posts:** 21 · by **Purplesky** » Sun Feb 10, 2013 11:22 am

What kind of clients? I hope not vulnerable people? She is making them cry? Is this normal in your field?

I am puzzled as to why your colleagues are putting up with this c***.

However, I would recommend treading carefully. If she's been there a long time, she may have people who support her etc.

Good luck, it doesn't sound acceptable to me.

**Posts:** 3 · by **ceshiwuhao** » Tue Feb 26, 2013 7:20 am

When women do commit an act, it is normally a person close to them, so unless she is intimately involved with a client

**Posts:** 14140 · by **jurplesman** » Mon Mar 04, 2013 5:35 am

If I were in charge of a counseling team I would not tolerate an "aggressive counsellor". Clients are more important. She should be willing to be treated for anger management problems or side-shifted to another job. She can be helped, and the counselling experience may benefit her clients later on too.

If she admits she has a problem she should be encouraged to google search for "Anger management and Nutrition".

**Posts:** 46 · by **Dave10** » Thu Mar 07, 2013 6:38 am

Maybe she is experiencing menopause? Or is she addicted to something that she can't do right now?

**Posts:** 16 · by **Lifecoach nl** » Thu Mar 28, 2013 7:33 am

Did anybody consider the possibility of this woman suffering from a development disorder, like borderline? I wld never accept working with anybody that is agressive, even if it's verbal abuse. The consequences of this person's behaviour on others can be huge...

Risk of violence?

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