Obligatory I’m on mobile and have the added bonus of dysgraphia. I’ll contextually edit for clarity on the reg
My husband was nearly assaulted at work today I truly believe the only thing stopping the assault was my husband would not fight, nor stand down. Most cannot walk this line, nor should they be expected to.
He’s a supervisor at a big box store with a membership needed. This company has a celebrated reputation for treating employees incredibly well. I’d say this company treats their employees at about the base line of respect people should have. Far below the corporate level perks for sure.
We already know it’s a tragedy that big retail service workers are generally treated as a complete afterthought at best so this gives my husband’s employer a big boost in employee satisfaction.
Back to the matter at hand At least in the state of California, where I am, an employee is not expected to tolerate an abusive environment in the workplace.
Laughable right? There is not a single one of us whom has not been required to stick it out in situations “beyond corporate’s control” in which we sustain the front line anger and abuse aimed at the corporation but there has to be someone to take it. The fun addition of being used as general emotional punching bags and sexual surrogates against our will just because “it happens” is a daily occurrence. THIS IS NOT OK
I know I’ve been done for a while, but this is really it. I don’t trust an enraged customer will not to shoot my husband in the head because they didn’t get their under 10 dollar refund on product over a year past best by date. My children will have their father till the end of his natural life. This will happen. I don’t recommend standing in my way.
Here is what is needed from you There is footage of an unfathomably large number of these interactions we have with customers.
I believe we have a right to these records whether it is audio, video, or anything else. They are allowed to record us without explicit consent. We must have the right to these recordings for protection as well. I don’t care if it’s boring. If we spam local, county, and state government with these videos of gesticulating customers; they must come defend themselves. I imagine you will be able to source a lot more witnesses in coworkers that the strangers a custom
This is step 1. If we all demand that cannot ignore. I’m sure there will be all kinds of policies and probably laws working against us, but if we don’t get safety we at least deserve to own documentation. They want police to file the request? Then file a police report for harassment and get the police involved.
Like I said. I’m done.
I am also known to be a ‘dog with a bone’ type, and I have endless patience for justice. Along with the endless skills I’ve picked up being a 25 year veteran of being an ‘essential worker’ I mean service worker, I’m in for the fight. I have worked at nearly every version of these customer service factories from high to low, and see every single one of you.
I will be forwarding all future abuse my family takes in the workplace to city county and state government. I’m going to make a stink. I’m currently a parent to my children during the work day so my bosses cannot retaliate against me. Yes, other retaliation could come my way, but I also live in an INCREDIBLY image conscious area. There will be an answer to my call and retaliation would unwise.
Let’s fucking goooooooooooo
in the mean time go ahead and spam this comment section with stories of abuse you’ve taken in the name of being customer facing
If you add a story, I’d love if you DM me your city county or state so I can record stories by region. You’ll only be referred to as ANONYMOUS.
Absolutely accepting documentation of employee abuse by the public. We will individually speak on the privacy you’d like.