Our open letter: signed by over 75 business leaders and cross-party parliamentarians
Since July 2020, we have been campaigning to stop the abuse of frontline workers. Our Service with Respect campaign has gained over 200 organisational and parliamentary supporters in that time.
We have had some success with one of our key campaign ‘asks’: to introduce appropriate legislation to act as a deterrent to those who currently 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, we asked a select group of parliamentarians and senior business leaders to co-sign our open letter (below). We 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.
Open letter
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
Chris O’Shea, CEO Centrica
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
Additional signatories
Mike Gauterin, Director – Enterprise Service, BT
Stuart Ledger, Interim CEO, Affinity Water
Jeremy Hyams, CEO, Claims Consortium Group
Olivia Blake MP, Labour