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Labour Protect Advice Forum -> Labour Protect Advice Forum -> Can i refuse to assist a customer that is abusive at work?
Post Info TOPIC: Can i refuse to assist a customer that is abusive at work?
Anonymous

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Can i refuse to assist a customer that is abusive at work?
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One of our customers approached me, saying he has feelings for me. I ignored his advances and told him I am married and not interested.

Now whenever the customer at our shop, he is abusive, shouts at me, accuses me of stealing from him. Can I refuse to assist this customer? He is affecting me negatively at work, I start to shake and get nervous whenever I see him. He gets personal, talks about my husband, what type of wife I am to my husband and he does not stop screaming at me. I need help please.



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Labour Protect

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Dear Anonymous

I would advise that you firstly take this up with your employer.

It is not an unreasonable demand under the circumstances and your employer, if he or she is reasonable, may be able to tell the customer not to approach you and that he should seek assistance from someone else at the shop.

As someone who works at a shop you are expected to be able to assist customers however if this customer is abusive towards you then you should not be expected to endure unnecessary and unreasonable abuse.

I would be interested to hear how your employer feels about the situation.

LP

 



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Anonymous

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Well it has been a couple of moths and this has been just getting worse. Finally got fed, up after another one of been screamed at being called incompetent by the customer, I know this was unprofessional but I called in passing police to premises and explained to them my situation. Now the owner has agreed that customer should only come to the shop when I am not there. I feel relieved as this has been affecting my work. I was literally crying and shaking at work in front of other customers.

I hope things can get better after this, the customer is now denying that he made any advances towards me and that is fine as long as I don't have to work with him anymore.

My only fear is now from the repercussions I will receive from my boss.

Thanks for your advice



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