Three tips for managing anger at the workplace

December 31, 2022

Sabine Meuter

ANN/THE STAR – Your colleague delivers late, your boss has come up with another strange idea, and customers aren’t returning your calls. These are some of the things that can get your blood boiling in the workplace.

But over the long run, getting upset is not only an unhappy circumstance – it is also unhealthy.

Which begs the question, how do you best cope at work when your anger level keeps rising?

“A first step in an acute situation can be to build up distance – take a deep breath and slowly count to 10,” said Professor of Work and Organisational Psychology at the University of Leipzig in Germany Hannes Zacher. That alone can be liberating and ensure that you can now take a calmer approach to matters.

REFLECT ON YOUR OWN ANGER

But it also makes sense, when you find a quiet moment, to reflect on certain situations and analyse why they make you so angry.

“You also have to realise that people are different and have different attitudes,” said Zacher.

In the course of this reflection, you have to compare your own needs and desires with the behaviour of your co-workers that triggers your anger – and then try to find out for yourself where the middle might be.

But there is another way, something very direct. “It is perfectly acceptable to let others know that they are upsetting you,” said occupational psychologist Zacher. In doing so, you should take a calm, matter-of-fact tone in describing what is bothering you. Such a direct statement like “I can hardly concentrate” should be followed by a suggestion of how to address the situation, the professor said.

FORMULATING MESSAGES IN THE FIRST-PERSON PERSPECTIVE

What’s important: If you let others at your workplace know that they are upsetting you, you should always describe it from a first-person perspective, advises occupational psychologist Frank Berzbach. Because what upsets you doesn’t necessarily mean that others feel the same way.

And it is by no means a good idea to escalate the conversation. “It’s better to ask the other side to think about what they want,” according to Zacher.

However, it is not always so easy to achieve a serene workplace environment. “Noise can increase the stress level enormously and make you get into a rage over small things more quickly,” Berzbach pointed out. That’s why employees should make sure that their working environment is as quiet as possible.

“It has also been proven that with increasing age you gain more composure and become more emotionally stable,” said Zacher. You don’t avoid difficult situations, but instead address them openly.

This prevents aggression from building up.

An example: If you’re annoyed that team meetings always drag on for so long.

“Instead of letting your anger build up, you can take the initiative and discuss with your boss how such meetings can be streamlined,” said Zacher.

SHRUGGING YOUR SHOULDERS IS NOT A SOLUTION

Under no circumstances is adopting an “it doesn’t matter” attitude a solution. “Indifference is destructive and poisons the working atmosphere,” said Berzbach. You harm yourself and others.

And what if it happens again that you get into a rage in your daily work? Besides taking deep breaths and counting to 10, it can also help to get a change of scenery: “Just get out and go for a walk around the block,” recommended Zacher.

But if you can’t do that and have to stay at the workplace, then it can help to turn your attention to a completely different matter, Berzbach advised. This might help you “to gain some distance from that one issue that makes you angry”.

Charities say new Italian rules will limit rescues at sea

World

December 31, 2022

MILAN (AP) – Charities that rescue migrants at sea complained on Thursday that new measures adopted by Italy’s right-wing government will limit their rescue capacity, setting lives at risk.

The government this week approved rules requiring rescue ships to request a port immediately after each rescue, and sail immediately to it once assigned without waiting for other rescues.

“With the new rules imposed by the Italian government on non-governmental organisation (NGO) boats, we will be forced to leave rescue zones uncovered with the inevitable increase in the number of deaths,” Doctors Without Borders said in a tweet.

The charity Emergency argued that more boats will be pushed back by the Libyan Coast Guard to Libya, where human rights groups said migrants face torture, sexual violence and extortion at the hands of guards in detention centres.

Under the Italian decree, charities not abiding by the rules risk fines of up to EUR50,000 and could have their vessels impounded for repeat offences.

So far this year, more than 103,000 migrants have arrived in Italy, up 55 per cent over last year, according to the Interior Ministry. Nearly 1,400 people have died or are missing and presumed dead in the deadly central Mediterranean Sea crossing this year, according to the United Nations migration agency’s Missing Migrants Report.

Migrants with life jackets provided by volunteers. PHOTO: AP

Pregnant woman charged with robbing gold shop

Southeast Asia

December 31, 2022

MELAKA (BERNAMA) – A woman, who is seven-month pregnant, was charged in the Ayer Keroh Magistrate’s Court yesterday with attempting to commit robbery in a gold shop at a supermarket in Malaysia.

Norraniza Muhamad Puslam, 35, who was in tears, pleaded not guilty to the charge before Magistrate Sharda Shienha Mohd Suleiman.

She was charged with attempting to rob Nur Rabeatul Addawiyah Rasul, 16, at Kedai Emas Daz Jewellery, Mydin Ayer Keroh, at 4.45pm on December 20.

The charge, under Section 393 of the Penal Code, provides imprisonment for up to seven years and fine, if found guilty.

The woman, who has two children, was allowed bail of MYR4,000 with two sureties.

The court set February 10 for mention for submission of documents. Deputy public prosecutor Fikri Hakim Zamri prosecuted, while Norraniza was represented by lawyer Illya Shahar.

Norraniza Muhamad Puslam at Ayer Keroh Magistrate’s Court. PHOTO: BERNAMA

Kite association elects new committee

December 31, 2022

Lyna Mohamad

Haji Maidin bin Haji Ahmad has been appointed as the new President of the Brunei Darussalam Kite Association (PEKIKIK) session, while Awang Haji Zulkifli bin Haji Laidin as the vice president.

The appointment of the new executive committee members was announced at the association’s annual general meeting (AGM) recently, during which a new executive committee was elected to replace the previous committee members.

Present at the meeting held at Suri Seri Begawan Raja Pengiran Anak Damit Mosque, Kampong Manggis/Madang, were the new executive committee members as well as registered members.

The meeting began with a mass recitation of Surah Al-Fatihah, led by Haji Maidin, followed by welcoming remarks and commencement of the meeting, which began with the presentation of activity report by the secretary general as well as financial report by the treasurer general.

New executive members are Badarudin bin Haji Murni, as secretary general; Haji Ismail bin Haji Mohammad as deputy secretary general; Haji Tahir bin Haji Jeludin as treasurer general; and Haji Mohammad Isa bin Haji Marsidi as deputy treasurer general.

Group photo during the AGM of committees and members. PHOTO: LYNA MOHAMAD

Smart meter ensures proper billing

Opinion

December 31, 2022

With reference to the letter, ‘Concerns over new smart metering system’, published in the Opinion page of the Bulletin on November 23, DST Network Sdn Bhd (DSTN) would like to thank the writer for sharing their concerns pertaining to the disruption in provision of services; the disruption in smart meters and end user systems; and the mode of payments and subsequent contingencies.

As a service provider, the concerns of the public are of utmost importance to DSTN. The implementation of the Unified Smart Metering System (USMS) – a unified smart platform that manages electricity and water consumption in a single module with accurate meter readings and provides two-way data sharing between end users and utility providers – is envisioned to improve user experience for the public comprehensively.

Smart meter devices measure and communicate utility usages from the end user’s smart meter to the smart metering system to ensure proper billing. In the event that disruptions occur, water and/or electricity flow and usage will be ceased, and the smart water meter credit will remain untouched.

Additionally, notifications will be issued by the system regularly to alert end users when their credit balance runs low, and to remind them to top up before the credit is exhausted.

Furthermore, credit transfer is automated between provisions of utilities. The latest electric and water usage can be viewed in the last one hour and 24 hours. As an example, should the smart water meter credit run out within 48 hours, an automatic credit transfer from the smart electrical meter will take place with no service interruption to the water supply, and vice versa.

Glitches in the software or outages of the smart meters will not affect the flow of water and electricity supply. Such events will temporarily halt the top-up service. However, this will be restored once the issue in the system has been rectified.

USMS has been implemented in collaboration with relevant agencies from public and private sectors. However, the existing rates of electricity and water services remain the same. Smart meter is the next generation of electricity and water, and is part and parcel to Brunei’s efforts towards fulfilling the Brunei Vision 2035 objective. As a nation, it will help to reduce commercial losses, enhance revenues and serve as an important tool for sustainable utility supplies and reformation in the Sultanate.

DST Network Sdn Bhd

Spain decries ‘dreadful’ spike in murders of women

World

December 31, 2022

MADRID (AFP) – Spain’s Interior Minister denounced on Thursday a “dreadful” surge in gender violence which has seen nine women killed in December, mainly by their partners, making it the deadliest month this year.

Among the victims was a 32-year-old pregnant woman allegedly stabbed to death by her former partner in front of their two teenaged children on Wednesday night in the central town of Escalona. Police arrested the man shortly after. The woman had been due to give birth within days, according to Spanish media reports.

If her death is confirmed to be at the hands of her former partner, it will bring to 47 the number of women killed due to gender violence this year, and to 1,180 the total since the government started keeping a tally in 2003. Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said the “series of dreadful crimes we have suffered this month” was “deeply frustrating” and should serve as a “wake-up call”.

He urged people to report any suspected incidents of gender violence and said police across the country had been ordered to “step up” their vigilance.

Is there roadkill removal service?

Opinion

December 31, 2022

On a weekly basis, I see dead animals that have been run over by cars on our roads. Not only dogs or cats, but also monitor lizards, monkeys and birds. It is more common on busier roads such as highways.

It is always heartbreaking to see a roadkill because the body is often mangled and the blood splattered all over the road.

I believe that no one is killing these animals on purpose. However, it always shows that everyone needs to be more mindful behind the wheel, and slow down whenever necessary.

I would also like to call on those who have accidentally hit an animal to pull over and place the body on the road verge, so it doesn’t continue to get run over.

While it calls for the need to have better road safety awareness and animal control in the country, my question is: is there an agency tasked to remove these dead animals from the roads?

Animal Lover

Ethereal Escapism

Lifestyle

December 31, 2022

Jeremy Scott’s Moschino runway replicated the bedroom scene from Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, down to the wall mouldings and the Renaissance paintings.

Backstage Scott wore a sweatshirt that read ‘Gilt Without Guilt’. Clearly, he’s been craving some opulence. “I was thinking about the furniture you’d find in a mansion: the Chesterfield dresser, grandfather clocks, picture frames, Persian rugs, birdcages,” he explained.

Adapting and expanding on that language, Scott showed a Stephen Jones-designed hat in the form of a painting spotlight, a handbag with a fancy toilet flush, and a bustier made from a metal tray and two well-placed soup tureens.

Waiter killed in explosion in Ampang

Southeast Asia

December 31, 2022

KUALA LUMPUR (BERNAMA) – A waiter of a restaurant was killed when a package which was left on his car exploded at Jalan Pandan Indah 12/1, Pandan Indah, Ampang on Thursday.

Ampang Jaya District Police Chief ACP Mohamad Farouk Eshak said the police were alerted of the incident at 8.55pm.

He said the victim, who is a 28-year-old local man, was handling the package that was left on the bonnet of his car when it exploded in his hand. “The victim suffered serious injuries to his body and hands and was rushed to Ampang Hospital for treatment. He was pronounced dead at 9.45pm at the hospital,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Following investigation, Mohamad Farouk said police found several objects and traces of the explosion, which included dents on the victim’s car.

Tackling social issues head on

December 31, 2022

Lyna Mohamad

A three-day youth camp, dubbed Legasi Generasi Camp (LGC): Thrive 2022 was held recently to tackle social issues such as bullying, mental health struggle, as well as their surrounding factors.

The camp provided a platform for youth to deal with these issues before they worsen due to zero support or a lack of coping mechanism. The programme aimed to offer interventions on mental health issues indirectly while promoting the importance of mental health care among the youth.

The camp concluded with a closing ceremony and the presentation of certificates by the founder Mohammad Haziq Nizar bin Ibrahim.

Borneo Bulletin OnlineThe Independent Newspaper in Brunei Darussalam, Sabah and Sarawak

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