Laws to protect retail employees?

[RaikuFA]

The otherday a customer called me a retard and said I should be locked up in a mental institution and never be set free as I'm a burden of society. Over not having a coupon up front to just give to her.

I told my manager and she said to just deal with it.

I've had death threats, stuff thrown at me, been called ******, retard, white devil, theif.

And I'm told I have to deal with because if anythings done about it, the customer can go crying to corporate and be given a $100 gift card and I'll most likely be written up.

So I think there needs to be a law that says if you say anything insulting to an employee they have the right to throw you out and you can't go to corporate for it. Because as I see it, this is bullying.

 

[CM156_v1legacy]

Whenever someone says:

I think there needs to be a law

there usually shouldn't be. So what, suppose you boot her. And she goes to corporate? What are you going to do? Have law enforcement arrest her?

Legislation isn't your only means to get want you want done.

 

[CODE-D]

You sold your soul the moment you signed up for retail.

 

[RaikuFA]

Whenever someone says:

I think there needs to be a law

there usually shouldn't be. So what, suppose you boot her. And she goes to corporate? What are you going to do? Have law enforcement arrest her?

Legislation isn't your only means to get want you want done.

Then what do you suggest should be done? Cause I know that acting like that anywhere else outside of retail does get you evicted.

 

[CM156_v1legacy]

Whenever someone says:

I think there needs to be a law

there usually shouldn't be. So what, suppose you boot her. And she goes to corporate? What are you going to do? Have law enforcement arrest her?

Legislation isn't your only means to get want you want done.

Then what do you suggest should be done? Cause I know that acting like that anywhere else outside of retail does get you evicted.

To be honest, I don't know. There's nothing stopping stores from kicking out people who are rude. They've just decide (correctly or not) that it's in their best interest to let them shop there because the fallout of bad PR would cost more.

 

[RaikuFA]

Whenever someone says:

I think there needs to be a law

there usually shouldn't be. So what, suppose you boot her. And she goes to corporate? What are you going to do? Have law enforcement arrest her?

Legislation isn't your only means to get want you want done.

Then what do you suggest should be done? Cause I know that acting like that anywhere else outside of retail does get you evicted.

To be honest, I don't know. There's nothing stopping stores from kicking out people who are rude. They've just decide (correctly or not) that it's in their best interest to let them shop there because the fallout of bad PR would cost more.

And a employee having anti gay slurs will do nothing to the companys rep?

 

[CM156_v1legacy]

Whenever someone says:

I think there needs to be a law

there usually shouldn't be. So what, suppose you boot her. And she goes to corporate? What are you going to do? Have law enforcement arrest her?

Legislation isn't your only means to get want you want done.

Then what do you suggest should be done? Cause I know that acting like that anywhere else outside of retail does get you evicted.

To be honest, I don't know. There's nothing stopping stores from kicking out people who are rude. They've just decide (correctly or not) that it's in their best interest to let them shop there because the fallout of bad PR would cost more.

And a employee having anti gay slurs will do nothing to the companys rep?

Look, don't get the idea that I'm unsympathetic. You want a law, according to the OP, that gives employees the power to boot people for rude behavior and prevents any appellate process.

 

[Supertegwyn]

I agree, retailers got it rough.

Some bitches be bitching, kick her out.

 

[RaikuFA]

Whenever someone says:

I think there needs to be a law

there usually shouldn't be. So what, suppose you boot her. And she goes to corporate? What are you going to do? Have law enforcement arrest her?

Legislation isn't your only means to get want you want done.

Then what do you suggest should be done? Cause I know that acting like that anywhere else outside of retail does get you evicted.

To be honest, I don't know. There's nothing stopping stores from kicking out people who are rude. They've just decide (correctly or not) that it's in their best interest to let them shop there because the fallout of bad PR would cost more.

And a employee having anti gay slurs will do nothing to the companys rep?

Look, don't get the idea that I'm unsympathetic. You want a law, according to the OP, that gives employees the power to boot people for rude behavior and prevents any appellate process.

That was an example that came off of the top of my head. It could be any law. As long as it makes a customer think twice about saying/doing something.

 

[twistedmic]

Then what do you suggest should be done? Cause I know that acting like that anywhere else outside of retail does get you evicted.

Repress your homicidal urges and the strong desire to smack loud, screaming children until you get home and relieve them by playing a violent videogame where you can be a total prick to everything that you see. That's what I do.

 

[Samurai Silhouette]

Obviously the store doesn't care to protect you, you should go to corporate about it. Or you should quit your job.

 

[Esotera]

Look, don't get the idea that I'm unsympathetic. You want a law, according to the OP, that gives employees the power to boot people for rude behavior and prevents any appellate process.

I'm fairly sure the NHS takes this stance, especially with physically abusive behaviour.

That said, it'd probably hurt the store's profits quite a bit, as a relatively large proportion of their target market, the general population, are morons.

 

[NoMansLand 666]

Look, don't get the idea that I'm unsympathetic. You want a law, according to the OP, that gives employees the power to boot people for rude behavior and prevents any appellate process.

I'm fairly sure the NHS takes this stance, especially with physically abusive behaviour.

That said, it'd probably hurt the store's profits quite a bit, as a relatively large proportion of their target market, the general population, are morons.

NHS employee here, we've clamped down quite well on morons who think physical violence is the way to go. Although still get the odd charmers for verbal abuse, like the charmer who decided it was within his rights to call the Indian nurses p**i c***s, we can normally just deal with people like that dealt with by security when just ignoring it isn't an option (personally, I've not been fussed about the insults I've had off people as I laugh inside at how pathetic they are).

On the main topic, it's a sad truth, but in retail it seems as though you're all viewed as expendable, hence why the powers that be within your company probably don't care all that much what you get called on a day-to-day basis, so long as people are still spending cash.

 

[ReadyAmyFire]

Depends where you live. But have a look over your contract, employee handbook and companies (company's?) policies. There's usually something to protect you from harassment, and I'm sure the employer has a duty of care, whether it's expressed or implied.

If not, then get one in there. Speak to a union rep or something.

 

[DoomyMcDoom]

Here's a trick I learned YEARS ago, it's called emotional detachment, and is required as a cashier or retail employee if you don't want to hate life while doing this form of work.

Angry customer yells at you, you go deadface, expressionless, and you say "It seems that you need a moment to calm down." and then go silent, and don't say or do shit till they stop throwing a tantrum. If they get all bitchy, and complain, you can say that it seemed that your interaction with the individual was causing them anger, so you gave them a moment to calm down before resuming service, there's nothing wrong with giving someone breathing space after all, and doing that will at least in my experience, act as a mirror which makes them see how much of an unreasonable asshole they are being, and will either piss them off to the point that they leave, or it causes a sudden deflation, either way I count it as a win, since you didn't say anything that can go on record as inflamatory, and didn't actually cause any trouble.

I have in certain situations calmly told people to leave when they started taking out their anger on nearby customers for reasons beyond my comprehension, but those instances are rare.

And no I've never been "written up" "warned" or fired for any of my actions behind the till. mainly because unless a person gets personal, like if they insult me directly or bring it past the general I'm having a bad day and I'm grumpy kinda thing, I'm cheerful, and friendly, and crack jokes about stuff all the time, which takes a lot of pressure off of situations right there.

 

[Grey Day for Elcia]

Depends where you live. But have a look over your contract, employee handbook and companies (company's?) policies. There's usually something to protect you from harassment, and I'm sure the employer has a duty of care, whether it's expressed or implied.

If not, then get one in there. Speak to a union rep or something.

Your top is so pretty in that picture ^^

OT: can't stand the heat? Get out of the kitchen! But really, you just need a thicker skin, not a law to stop people hurting your feelings.

 

[ReadyAmyFire]

Your top is so pretty in that picture ^^

Thank you