Managing Angry, Difficult People in the Workplace

This convenient online course can be taken from anywhere. You can participate in our online classes from home, from your office, even when you travel. A PC or laptop, modem and browser bring the virtual classroom to you, when and where you want to participate. We invite you to join the mailing list for online courses. To subscribe, send a blank e-mail to: join-pdas-online@lists.wisc.edu.

At a glance:

Dates: October 17 - November 13, 2007
Location: Online
Fee: $245, CEU's: 1.6 (16 hours of professional continuing education)
Instructor: Gregg Miller
Contact: Ann Whitaker 608-262-4509, awhitaker@dcs.wisc.edu
Tell a friend: Tell a friend or colleague about this program.
To enroll: See registration options.

Description:

This new online course offers four weeks to explore enlightening and enjoyable concepts about one of the most challenging issues in the workplace: working with angry, difficult people. Whether they’re your colleagues, your bosses, or your customers, angry acting people test your patience and interpersonal skills. Course topics include defining behaviors of difficult/troubled/angry people in the workplace; implementing strategies for managing these behaviors in the workplace; and implementing a “zero tolerance” violence program in the workplace.

This online course helps you to:

• Become familiar with various styles of difficult, troubled and angry behavior
• Understand the impact these behaviors have on you and others
• Develop strategies for modifying these behaviors in the workplace
• Explore the issues and problems of violence in the workplace
• Examine a “zero tolerance” response to violent behavior

The course includes excerpts and is largely based upon the books Dealing With People You Can’t Stand: How to Bring Out the Best in People at their Worst by Drs. Rick Brinkman and Rick Kirschner, and The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Dealing with Difficult Employees by Robert Bacal.

Course structure:

• Content is scheduled as weekly modules.
• Background readings, cases and exercises are provided.
• You access the course Web site at your convenience.
• Learners engage in a weekly asynchronous discussion forum.
• Approximately four hours per week is needed to successfully participate.

Students do not have to be online at any particular time. You can choose times that are convenient for you. Most students spend approximately four hours per week, between reading assignments and discussion questions. Instructors assign readings each week and ask participants to reply to discussion questions and comment on each others’ replies. Each week for the duration of the course new readings and discussion questions are assigned by the instructors. Students are asked to post at least two comments each week and read the comments made by other students. Instructors facilitate and comment on the topics being discussed each week.

We invite you to join the mailing list for online courses for in human services.

Your instructor:

Gregg Miller is a lecturer in the Department of Professional Development and Applied Studies, UW-Madison who specializes in supervision strategies and employee retention.

Course access:

About one week prior to the start of the class, you are sent readings by surface mail. To ensure privacy online you receive an e-mail with Web site access information and a password. An orientation is available online.

Computer requirements:

Computer requirements to use Learn@UW online courses are as follows:

• An Internet connection
• A Web Browser (such as Internet Explore 5.0 higher, Netscape 4.7, 6 or higher, Mozilla, or Safari. Note: Netscape 7.0 is recommended for Mac users)
• E-mail account (address). You must have an e-mail address to participate in our online course. Please include your e-mail address with your registration.

More information on current requirements.

What students have said about their online learning experience:

"It’s great to explore (these) topics with adult learners (who) can provide me with practical everyday experiences that have worked in their jobs."—(Vicki, RN, Madison, WI)

“This is my first time participating in an online course and I have truly enjoyed it. The flexibility of participation and diversity of students has been wonderful. The course readings have been great fodder for discussion…at my agency, we are actually using them for round table discussions. —C.L MSSW, Burr Ridge, IL

“I really enjoyed this course. I think I got much more out of this than I would have if I had sat in a traditional one-day ethics workshop…The readings and discussions were interesting and challenging. I am thinking about my decision making…in a new way, and I’m thankful for that. Thanks for a great experience.” —S.P., Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Eau Claire, WI

“I have been really enjoying the format of the online course...it is convenient for me, my work schedule, and my family. I can read assigned readings and people’s posts at 11 pm and add my own at any time. I have gotten a lot more from it that I wouldn’t get in a more usual CEU setting.” —J.L., Licensed Social Worker, Gahanna, OH

"[Some advantages of being online are] ease of operation, availability of the medium; it requires putting expression into a more highly verbal flow, doesn’t let anyone hide."—(Leslie, MS, Chicago, IL)

General information:

Registration: Registrations are confirmed in writing. If you do not receive written confirmation of your registration prior to the workshop, please call 608-262-7942.

Fee: $245.

Credits: 16 hours (1.6 CEU's) are awarded for this 4-week course.The University of Wisconsin-Madison, Professional Development and Applied Studies, (provider number #1042) is approved as a provider for social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (800-225-6880) through the Approved Continuing Education program. The University of Wisconsin-Madison, Professional Development and Applied Studies, maintains responsibility for the program. The University of Wisconsin-Madison is also an approved provider by the Wisconsin Psychological Examining Board to offer continuing education credits for psychologists.

Please note: This is a continuing education course for professionals. It fulfills ongoing certification requirements for continuing education credits/hours, however it does not carry University of Wisconsin undergraduate or graduate credit.

Cancellation policy: If you are unable to attend or arrange for a substitute, you may obtain a refund minus the $20 administrative fee by contacting our registration department at least 3 business days prior to the program. If you cancel 3 business days or less before the program, or do not attend, you are responsible for the entire fee. To cancel or arrange for a substitute, please call 800-725-9692.

 

For more information: If you have any questions, contact Ann Whitaker at 608-262-4509 or awhitaker@dcs.wisc.edu. We also invite you to join the mailing list for online courses.

Registration options:

By phone: Call 608-262-7942 or toll-free 800-725-9692.

By mail: Print, complete and mail the UW Continuing Studies registration form.

By fax: Print, complete and fax the UW Continuing Studies registration form.

Online: Secure online registration is available for this program.