Such tragic events are not senseless and unpredictable acts of violence, some experts say. They are unresolved conflicts that have been allowed to brew over time until an employee explodes. Workplace stress is found in virtually every sector and is not a new issue. But it seems to become a notable problem only after a shooting, stabbing or other violent act has occurred. Denenberg cited a 1999 study by Yale University's School of Management, which surveyed workers throughout the country.
People are afraid to confront the person directly.
An underlying force is destroying work environments every day. A workplace bully, Yamada says, is someone who repeatedly mistreats either a co-worker or a subordinate, often in subtle ways. Tim Brandenburg, a former network administrator at a North Carolina steel company, escaped to the parking lot for walks or climbed the stairway so he could relieve stress. After a scant three months, Brandenburg quit his high-paying job. That happened two years ago, but Brandenburg distinctly remembers it was the first time in his career that he left a job under such circumstances.