The Royal Borough of Greenwich is strengthening our commitment to staff safety with our new Zero Tolerance to Violence, Aggression and Discrimination Charter.
The Charter outlines objectives and actions towards protecting staff wellbeing including training, new technology and improved mechanisms for reporting incidents.
Councillor Denise Hyland, Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Social Value said: “Our staff are our biggest asset, and their safety is our priority. We want to help as many people as we can – this is made easier when our colleagues are met with the same kindness we show our communities when we’re doing our jobs.
“We will not tolerate members of the public treating our staff with violence, aggression and discrimination.”
Councillor Sandra Bauer, Cabinet Member for Equality, Culture and Communities said: “No one should have to accept violence, aggression or discrimination as part of their job. We want to remind our residents that harmful words and actions leave a lasting impact on our staff. Together, we will work tirelessly to ensure that the Royal Borough of Greenwich remains a place where staff have dignity, feel safe and are respected.”
We will take action against residents or members of the public who display violent or abusive behaviour. This may include:
- Reporting to the police
- Taking legal action, including tenancy enforcement
- Changing how you can access services.
We consider unacceptable behaviour to be any instance which causes or threatens physical injury or distress to our colleagues.
- Verbal or written aggression such as offensive language, swearing, unwanted or abusive remarks.
- Assault or attempted assault on others, including members of an individual’s family.
- Brandishing of objects, weapons or threats of risk or injury to staff, service users or visitors.
- Antisocial behaviour such as stalking, invasion of personal space, offensive gestures, spitting, alcohol or drug-fuelled abuse.
You can find the Zero Tolerance to Violence, Aggression and Discrimination Charter online at royalgreenwich.gov.uk/zero-tolerance.