Conflict and Aggression on the Rise

According to the LifeWorks Mental Health Index, 20 percent of Canadian workers have experienced increased conflict or aggression when working with the public or their clients. These workers also scored, on average, almost 11 percent lower on the mental health index than workers who didn’t report conflict and aggression at work—averaging 54.1 percent versus 64.9 percent. 

Women were 40 percent more likely than men to have experienced aggression or hostility from the public or clients, and managers were 60 percent more likely to have experienced conflict or aggression than nonmanagers. Less than half of workers (44 percent) said their employer provides training or support to address conflict or aggression. One-third (34 percent) said their employer provides no training or supports in this area, and 12 percent weren’t sure. 

The reasons for the increased aggression are many, ranging from over two years of strain brought on by restrictions and uncertainty caused by the pandemic, to stress over the skyrocketing cost of living, to more disconnectedness because of increased digital communication and decreased personal interaction, and more. 

If you encounter hostility or aggression at work, report it immediately to your supervisor or manager. If increased conflict at work is adversely affecting you, talk to your steward or representative. 

Employees experiencing hostility and aggression at work have decreased mental health scores. CLAC has many resources to help you if you are struggling with your mental health, whether due to hostility, aggression, or other causes. Log in to myCLAC and click My Health and Wellness to see resources available to you.