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11.12.2024 08:15

“Keeping hands to yourself”

Bad behavior tends to escalate as Christmas approaches. There are Christmas parties and people getting a bit tipsy, there is shopping stress and a lot to do and remember, but nothing should justify bad behavior, PAM President Annika Rönni-Sällinen points out.

For some of us, every workday can be a nightmare. Does the stalker come to my workplace, does someone grab your backside while you are filling shelves, carrying a tray full of dishes or picking up trash? Does someone push you or get upset for nothing? What if someone starts following you when you leave work, or stalks you on social media?

This may happen at times to any of us, but for those who work in the service sector, it happens a lot. In a recent PAM member survey, two out of three say they have experienced various types of inappropriate behavior and harassment from customers at work.

Unbearable and makes big headlines – right? Headlines for sure if it is a celebrity, an MP, or other public figure that is caught or targeted. Publicity can act as a deterrent, but when all kinds of people are involved and ordinary employees are the targets, the spotlight is not that bright.

Two out of three PAM members say they have experienced various types of inappropriate behavior and harassment from customers.

Bad behavior tends to escalate as Christmas approaches. There are Christmas parties and people getting a bit tipsy, there is shopping stress and a lot to do and remember, but nothing should justify bad behavior.

Thanks to MeToo, it has become commonplace for events and public events to have contact persons for harassment. That is a good thing, but the protection does not usually extend to the staff working at the venue. However, anyone can intervene if someone in the group is behaving badly. You can also tell a stranger if his or her behavior is not okay.

For years, PAM and the Nordic trade unions for hospitality and tourism workers have implemented the Not on the Menu campaign appealing to customers. PAM and the Finnish Commerce Federation have also run the campaign Let’s Behave. However, appealing to individuals alone is not enough.

Employers are responsible for the occupational safety of their employees.

Employers are responsible for the occupational safety of their employees. Working without harassment is part of that. Procedures should be agreed upon at the workplace and everyone, including those who work as extras, should be familiarized with them. The customer is not always right, and no one should be harassed at work.

The government has promised a law that would allow a company restraining order equivalent to a regular restraining order sought by a private person. When enacting legislation, it is important to pay attention to occupational safety, and not just focus on preventing repeated shoplifting.

The text has previously been published in Voima magazine.

Annika Rönni-Sällinen is President of Service Union United PAM. The text has previously been published in Finnish in Voima magazine.

Keywords:

legislation occupational safety

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