Abstract
M.Ed.
The focus of this study was to portray aggression in
the working environment by way of a qualitative study.
There exists preconceptions about aggression in the
workplace and this causes a process whereby
aggression is not understood. It is also not addressed
because of the fact that management does not
understand aggression. For the purpose of this study
Afrikaans speaking management of secondary
schools was chosen. There is a need for research
into aggression at the workplace.
The study made use of phenomenological interviews
with seventeen participants of two Afrikaans speaking
schools in the East-Rand, Gauteng Province. Data
analysis was done by using the open-coding method
of Tesch. The study also made use of field notes and
a pilot study. Literature was used to verify and
compare results. Guba's model of trustworthiness
ensured the trustworthiness of the research.
After the data analysis was conducted, it was evident
that management viewed that frustration and stress
together with conflict play a part in their experience of
aggression in the workplace. Guidelines were given
for management to cope with aggression. The
researcher ensured that a high extent of ethics was
followed throughout the study.