Since July 2020, the Institute of
Customer Service (ICS) has been campaigning to stop the abuse of frontline
workers. Their ‘Service with Respect Campaign’ has gained over 200
organisational and parliamentary supporters in that time.
The ICS has had success with one
of their key campaign demands: to introduce legislation to act as
a deterrent to customers who feel they can abuse customer-facing workers
with impunity. On 2nd December 2021, the Government tabled an amendment to the
Sentencing Bill. If passed, it would mean that assaults on those serving the
public, would be treated as aggravated offences.
This will send an unequivocal signal
to those who have kept the nation fed and safe through the last 18 months that
such abuse is not ‘just part of the job’ and that they should feel safe and
protected while serving the public.
To achieve this, the ICS asked a
select group of parliamentarians and senior business leaders to co-sign our
open letter. They drafted it to raise awareness of the increasing volume of
incidents across all industry sectors and the impact on individuals, businesses
and the economy. An abridged version of the letter was published in The Times
on 8th December 2021. A copy of the letter is published below.
8 December 2021
Dear Sir/Madam,
Re: The abuse of customer-facing
workers
The combined impact of the Covid-19
pandemic, Brexit and widespread stock and labour shortages have placed an
intolerable strain on the relationship between customers and businesses.
Customer facing employees across all
industry sectors - not just retail, but train guards, those in hospitality
roles or engineers and call centre staff, are dealing with an increasingly
frustrated and disenfranchised public, leading to unacceptable levels of
hostility and abuse. Our research reveals over 60% have faced hostility in the
last 12 months - ranging from shouting and swearing to racial abuse, death
threats, spitting and physical attacks.
As we approach the busy festive period
- a combination of frustrations over stock shortages and late deliveries,
combined with the pressures of the rising cost of living, could cause abuse and
hostility to rise still further.
This behaviour is not only morally
unacceptable, but damaging to our efforts to rebuild our nation’s economy. Far
more than an occasional curse word - our research reveals damaging long term
psychological impacts of this behaviour are leading to rising levels of sick
days, resignations and a growing refusal to do vital work that directly serves
the public.
The Institute of Customer Service,
with the support of over 200 organisations and parliamentary champions from
across the political spectrum, is calling for a new offence to address those
that abuse staff in customer-facing roles. This will provide the deterrent
needed to stop the worst offenders and give victims the confidence that their
voice will be heard, and action will be taken.
We also urge businesses to provide
adequate training to ensure employees are prepared for the increasingly
demanding requirements of their role and for all customers to moderate their
own behaviour.
Customer-facing workers not only
played a vital role in keeping our nation running in recent times, but will
also be the backbone of our economic progress. They deserve our respect - and
this starts with providing a working environment free from hostility and abuse.
Yours faithfully,
Jo Causon, CEO, Institute of Customer
Service
List of Signatories:
Adrian Furness, CEO, Covea Insurance
Andy Wood, CEO, Adnams Brewery
Angela Lockwood, CEO, North Star
Ant Middle, CEO, Ageas
Chris Pitt, CEO, first direct
David Done, CEO, RHP
David Wood, CEO, Wickes
Giles Hawke, CEO, Cosmos Tours
Graham Edwards, CEO, Wales and West
Utilities
Heidi Mottram, CEO, Northumbrian Water
Jac Starr, CEO, Rail Delivery Group
Joanna Swash, CEO, Moneypenny
Joe Garner, CEO, Nationwide
Lindsey Rix, CEO, Canada Life
Liz Garfield, CEO, Severn Trent
Mike Lewis, CEO, Eon
Neil Jones, CEO, Bobst
Nick Read, CEO, Post Office
Paul Hudson, CEO, Cirencester Friendly
Paul Philpott, CEO, Kia
Rosemary Du Rose, CEO, Beyond Housing
Ruth Cooke, CEO, Green Square Accord
Sarah Bentley, CEO, Thames Water
Sian Fisher, CEO, Chartered Insurance
Institute
Simon Roberts, CEO, Sainsburys
Steve Rowe, CEO, Marks and Spencer
Tony Buss, CEO, Arag
Giles Hurley, CEO (UK & Ireland),
Aldi
Aimee Chapell, CEO Customer
Management, Capita
Andy Whatmough, MD, S&G Response
David Roberts, MD, NuHeat
Eric Leenders, MD, UK Finance
Jo Upward, MD, Platform Group
Joanne Casey, MD, Mactaggart &
Mickel Homes
Paul Harris, MD, Curo
Steve Holiday, Chairman, CityFibre
Fintan Connolly, Chief Business
Officer, Bidvest Noonan
Richard Pash, Chief Customer Officer,
Zurich
Peter Markey, CMO, Boots UK
David MaCleod OBE, Co-Founder, EFS
Colin Jones, COO, Sky
Guy Jefferson, COO, Scottish Power
Energy Networks
Jane Porter, COO, Optivo
Jonathan Cowie, COO, Vivid Housing
Matt Gore, COO, Pension Insurance
Corporation
Oke Eleazu, COO, Bought By Many
Carla Thomas, Customer Experience
Director, Openreach
Jamie McDonald, Customer Experience
Director, VIVO Defence Services
Karen Coleman, Customer Experience
Director, Wesleyan
Kathryn O’Brien, Customer Experience
Director, TransPennine Express
Martyn Oakley, Customer Experience
Director, Laithwaites Wine
Louise Beardmore, Customer Service Director,
United Utilities
Nigel Purveur, Director, NJP
Management
Peter Carter, Director, Independent
Healthcare Consultant
Fran Rea, Director Customer of
Service, NewDay
Mark Gait, Director Customer of
Service, Virgin Media 02
Kate Webb, Director of Customer and
Product Experience, Parcelhub (Part of the Whistl Group)
Ian Fielder, Director of Operations,
Vanquis Bank
Trafford Wilson, Executive Director of
Customer Service, The Guinness Partnership
Andy Pymer, Executive Director,
Finance & Regulation, Wessex Water
Ben Fletcher, Group CFO, The Very
Group
Jessie Burrows, MD - Customer Sales,
Service and Claims, Direct Line Group
Tara Mullen, UK Retail Director,
Octopus
Joe Gordon, VP of Customer Care, Ovo
Energy
Alison Thewliss MP, SNP
Baroness Bennett, Green (Peer)
Carolyn Harris MP, Labour
Charlotte Nichols MP, Labour
Chris Evans MP, Labour
Esther McVey MP, Conservative
Martyn Day MP, SNP
Philip Davies MP, Conservative
Steven Bonnar MP, SNP
Wera Hobhouse MP, Lib Dem
Grahame Morris MP, Labour