Anger in UK workplaces is rampant because of the behaviour of managers and other workers, including cheating, stealing or just being "incredibly loud", research has revealed.

The problem was affecting productivity and causing people to take time off work with stress or even threatening to resign.

Occupational psychologist Jill Booth, who interviewed workers in the NHS, education and shops, said she was "shocked" at the scale of anger.

The most common cause was "immoral behaviour" such as lying, stealing or cheating although some people complained their managers were exploiting their position by not doing their jobs properly or regularly turning up late for work.

Anger levels often spilled over into private lives and some workers said they went home in a bad mood.

* Gossiping at work is an ideal way to let off steam and can help staff relax or even discuss ideas, according to research published yesterday.

Employers were urged to encourage people to gossip as it could help them to become more creative.

Interviews by an occupational psychologist among 100 nurses found that some spent up to four hours a day gossiping.

Katherine Waddington, of the School of Nursing at London's City University, said women were more honest about their gossiping, while men often described it as debriefing or networking.

Friday January 09, 2004