Office Rage

[2008]

CAUTION: This could be upsetting to watch, for some people. There's nothing close-up or graphic -- it's grainy security cam footage shot from ceiling level -- but this level of rage and danger could be upsetting to some.

With that out of the way, the clip shows a man trashing an office that's staffed with at least 20 people. He seems to explode for no apparent reason. It's possible, I suppose, that the man nearest to him said something to set him off, but of course there's no excuse for what he's doing.

At least one person is injured (by a thrown computer monitor), and still everyone just watches as he trashes the place without regard for anyone's safety. Even those his own size or bigger just stand around and watch the destruction. One man makes an effort toward the end, but only manages to send him onto a desk where he continues his rampage.

Finally, a big guy -- perhaps security, though he's wearing a suit, not a uniform -- arrives and takes him down quickly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dU4PD4SES9I

[Oeditpus Rex]

1. 'Bad day at work, dear?'

[PermanentRevolution]

2. I saw this the other day...

There's a second angle shot from a co-worker's cell, w/audio...

http://www.break.com/index/office-worker-meltdown-second-angle.html

The whole thing is just really disturbing, seeing someone just snap like that. And, yeah, it is security. You can hear the taser towards the end.

[petronius]

3. WTF!? Was that an axe he was swinging around the middle or it?

Of course, this would have been over a lot quicker and cleaner if someone there had had a gun. ;)

[PermanentRevolution]

4. Yeah, it is an axe

Which might explain why nobody really seemed eager to jump in and try and subdue him...

[2008]

5. I don't think it's an axe

Looks like a pole on a base to me, like a lamp stand or the leg of a desk or something.

[PermanentRevolution]

6. Actually, you may be right...

First time I watched, I thought it was a fireaxe. But it may be a lamp stand instead.

[bluesbassman]

7. If he's a Republican, he'll probably get a corner office.

Seriously though, that guy's gonna do some time. At the very least he needs some psychiatric help. I hope the woman he threw the monitor into is okay.

On a side note though, did you notice the condition of that cube farm? I might get a little tense working there myself!

[Lil Missy]

8. Sorry. I think that was a set up hoax.

[2008]

9. I wondered about that, but...

That's a lot of destruction and those are a lot of actors, if this was all pre-planned. I could believe this is a scene from a movie, because then it would pay for itself. But what would a hoax like this cost?

[Lil Missy]

10. I don't know. But I am rather skeptical by nature.

It just seemed a bit overplayed over something trivial. And a major overreaction.

But what the hell do I know. I've never worked for the post office.

I tell you what though. If I ever worked in a place where someone acted like such an asshole, I'd get up and walk out the front door immediately.

[Lady Freedom]

11. I did some checking and found that you may be right. However,...

Some do believe it may be a hoax according to U.S. News. (See http://www.usnews.com/blogs/the-inside-job/2008/6/5/what-does-a-three-minute-office-rage-look-like.html?s_cid=rss:the-inside-job:what-does-a-three-minute-office-rage-look-like
)However, when googling Office Rage I found a article about how to handle it.(See http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/layer?topicId=5000683321&site=181 ) Makes me wonder if there is a rise of stressed people at work going postal (remember how that term started!)