ARRRG! Desk rage becoming more common in the workplace

As any human resource executive can tell you, frustration and office temper tantrums by employees are not unusual. But two new studies indicate that incivilities in the workplace appear to be increasing.

Termed "desk rage," by one survey, it includes arguments between employees, pen throwing managers and workers kicking expensive computer equipment in fits of aggravation.

In a telephone survey commissioned by Integra Realty Resources, Inc., nearly one-third of 1,305 workers who responded admitted to yelling at someone in the office, and 65% said workplace stress is at least occasionally a problem for them. Work stress had driven 23% of the respondents to tears, and 34% blamed their jobs for a loss of sleep.