More than three-quarters of teachers responding to a union survey have said they believe poor pupil behaviour is a widespread problem at their school.
Almost 700 teachers responded to the survey teaching union NASUWT carried out in Scotland between February and this month.
A total of 67 per cent of the 673 respondents said poor pupil behaviour was a widespread problem at their school.
NASUWT believes ways of dealing with the disruptive pupils in schools such as restorative behaviour strategies have left teachers "increasingly vulnerable to verbal and physical abuse".
These strategies may include "restorative conversations" with children in response to poor behaviour.
The union has also criticised pupils with additional support needs being placed in mainstream schools without the support they need.
NASUWT members from Scotland moved a motion at the union's annual conference in Belfast calling for all schools to adopt a zero tolerance approach to violent and disruptive pupil behaviour.
Read more: Children caught with lethal weapons in schools
The motion also states key contributors to an "increase in pupil indiscipline" include the "deplorable" introduction of behaviour management strategies, such as restorative behaviour; a presumption of mainstreaming for pupils with behavioural problems and "cuts to special provision, specialist support services and funding".
Chris Keates, NASUWT general secretary, said: "Teachers in too many schools across the country are being disempowered by a culture of blame the teacher, rather than putting in place strategies to support them in the face of violent and disruptive behaviour.
"Too many pupils with behavioural issues are being placed in schools without the specialist support they need, with teachers being expected to pick up the pieces.
"The restorative approach to behaviour in too many schools has become synonymous with no consequences for pupils and consequently teachers are increasingly vulnerable to verbal and physical abuse.
"No one should go to work with the expectation of being physically or verbally abused and yet for too many teachers across Scotland this is now their day to day reality.
"It's about time the Government and employers exercised their legal duty of care for their staff."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here