People sometimes say that the customer is always right. This adage is meant to foster a supportive attitude among those in customer-facing positions even when customers are unreasonable.
However, there are plenty of customers who may try to abuse their perceived authority at a business. Some may even engage in overt harassment of service employees. Accepting a snide attitude is one thing. Facing sexual harassment from customers is another.
Workers shouldn’t have to endure harassment from customers to keep their jobs. They should be able to speak up about what they experience and trust that management can intervene for their protection.
How can companies address customer harassment?
Workers dealing with harassment that may range from unwanted advances to inappropriate touching should be able to report the matter to their supervisor to seek support. There are numerous ways for managers at businesses to protect employees from customer sexual harassment.
Allowing a worker to take a break and handling the problematic customer is one solution. Informing the customer of the inappropriate nature of their behavior and asking them to stop mistreating employees is also a viable option. In more severe cases, management might even need to ask the customer to leave or contact local law enforcement because of an assault.
Unfortunately, some companies punish workers for speaking up about harassment instead of protecting them from mistreatment. In those cases, the company may have violated the worker’s rights by permitting harassment in the workplace.
Documenting inappropriate conduct from customers and attempts to address that issue with management can help employees hold businesses accountable. Sexual harassment lawsuits can relate to a better culture in the workplace and compensation for prior mistreatment.