The United States Department of Labor reported that 1,216 lives were lost as a result of workplace violence in 1992. Guns were the weapon of choice and were used in 75 percent of the fatalities. These two areas counted for 54 percent of workplace violence during an eight year study period. People are culturally influenced to behave in violent ways. American society through television and cultural subgroups views aggression in positive terms.
Aggression is modeled as an acceptable and rewarded choice.
People entering the workplace today may be less equipped to handle job stress than in previous times. Society is faced with workers from a weak educational system, broken families, and an overexposure to violence in their daily lives. Practically anyone, if provoked, is capable of a violent act. People are frustrated because of their failures to reach their desired objectives. Aggressive acts can be traced back to some prior impediment.