How to Deal With an Overly Aggressive Employee: What Can You Do Personally?

An overly-aggressive employee in any place of employment, or on a job site presents a potentially precarious situation for other employees, as well as the employer. Any time an overly-aggressive employee begins acting out in a public place like a restaurant or when visiting someone’s home, other’s lives may be in danger.

Dictionary.com suggests the word aggressive is “characterized by or tending toward unprovoked, offensive, attacks, invasions, or the like”.

The article “How to deal with aggressive behavior” suggests that there are three phases to an“aggression development model” namely, pre-crisis, crisis and post-crisis.  

How to deal with an overly-aggressive employee is problematic depending upon the phase, as well as the nature and extent of the aggression. Here are some guidelines that may prove helpful with respect to preventing a tragedy.

Do not panic. Speak to the overly-aggressive employee quietly, suggesting that his or her manner of speaking, behavior or actions are inappropriate. Be cautious because this may cause an increase in his or her verbal aggression, or aggressive behavior. On-to-one counseling may help to rectify a potentially dangerous situation. Offer to intervene on his or her behalf. At times, an employee who is a close friend or a family member may intervene successfully.

Notify appropriate authorities immediately, if the situation appears to be escalating out of control, for example your employer, managers, security, etc. If the situation continues to escalate, or an overly-aggressive employee refuses your help, or that of others, call 911. While you are waiting for help to arrive, someone trained in professional intervention may be able to deal with the overly-aggressive employee. Medical or psychiatric intervention may be necessary, particularly when there is alcohol or substance abuse. Is the overly-aggressive employee rough or pushy to the point of harming others? Take immediate action to ensure their safety or ask them to leave the immediate area.

Try to learn what the overly-aggressive employee is attempting to accomplish through his words, deeds or actions. Does he or she have legitimate grievances? Are others taking sides? Is he or she trying to win or succeed at something that is realistic and feasible, or is he or she making unrealistic and therefore unreasonable demands? Discernment is important.

Carefully document what is happening including words or statements, threats against others, acts of violence and damage incurred. For example, is there evidence of the use of excessive energy and force against others? Is the expression thereof appropriate in relation to the desires of the overly-aggressive employee? Is he or she armed and trying to take hostages?

At times, there may be a positive, constructive aspect to the overly-aggressive employee’s action or behavior. For example, is the overly-aggressive employee using his or her energy to accomplish a difficult, but necessary task at work? Is he or she demanding an increase in salary, benefits, holidays, etc. that would ultimately affect everyone?

A strategy to deal with an overly-aggressive employee should be included in every employee’s training manual and be introduced as soon as an employee is hired. This should include appropriate guidelines like the above.