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Originally Posted by Russ
I would much rather that than the synthesised version of 'service' given by off-shore outsourced companies. They are taught our manners and customers but don't *understand* them. When My father passed away and I needed to sort out his VM details not one of the Asian agents I spoke to offered condolences or gave a sympathetic tone whereas each of the UK agents I spoke to did. With the Asians the call was all "business" with the occasional compulsory "And-how-are-you-today-Mr-Russ" thrown in whilst totally ignoring the fact I'd already told them about my father's passing.
If someone gives good service and does a good job while at work then only the most petty and no-real-life-of-their-own types would try to get them in trouble for something they say outside of work and in their own time.
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It depends on the seriousness of what they do. I can't think of anyone who would take action for no good reason.
I am sorry to hear about your father.
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Originally Posted by Hugh
I am equally filled with horror and shock the way some employers treat/speak to their employees (or employees of other companies), thinking they should be grateful they have a job, and expect them to kowtow and accept being spoken to/treated inappropriately.
We have moved on from the Victorian era, and employment should be a partnership between the parties involved, treating each other with respect, and ensuring customers are treated appropriately, with respect, but with the understanding that customers do not have the right to abuse, verbally or otherwise, employees.
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It depends. Sometimes a customer may be verbally abusive for good reason.
If this happens, I would expect an employee to deal with it in a professional and mature manner, using company policies and procedures.
Going into a sulk or retaliating are not valid options and invoke the disciplinary process. I have only ever had to do this twice.
Employment is a two way adult contract*, where people sell their labour to people who want to buy it.
Mostly, it is an equal relationship, but cannot always be so. Some employees, for example, possess little intelligence, are immature or chronologically very young.
These people need discipline and, amongst other things, educating about respecting older people.
Sadly, society is failing to teach many young people basic courtesy and the ability to read and write, let alone the unwritten rules of social graces.
* Having said this, it is also impossible to ignore the relevancy of this post:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Russ
Given the employment market nowadays that sort of thing happens a lot. Many employers know that if a staff member objects to something, they can be shown the door safe in the knowledge there will be a queue of 100s waiting outside to take their place.
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That said, whatever the job market, I have always required my employees to speak to their customers, employers, colleagues, suppliers etc with courtesy and respect.