No Excuse for Abuse campaign
Everyone deserves to feel safe at work, which is why the "No Excuse for Abuse" campaign is so important to promote respect for frontline workers, including council staff.
At Herefordshire Council, we value a positive and inclusive work environment, which means fostering a space free from abuse.
Through the campaign we want to:
- Raise awareness about abuse faced by frontline staff and its impact
- Challenge aggressive behaviour, reinforcing that it will not be tolerated
- Encourage respect, ensuring those who serve our communities can do so safely
- Tell you how to report abuse if you witness or experience it
We want to create a safe and respectful work environment for all frontline staff by addressing all forms of abuse - whether verbal or physical.
At times, we can all get frustrated when seeking help or answers. However, that frustration should never turn into verbal, written, or physical abuse towards workers who are just doing their jobs. We must do better to respect each other.
Everyone deserves to feel safe at work. Yet, frontline staff - those who keep our towns and services running - are facing rising hostility.
Abuse towards council workers is unacceptable. From enforcement officers to reception staff, highways teams, and waste crews, those serving the public often face verbal threats, physical violence, and intimidation.
Examples of abuse
Examples of abuse include:
- Reception staff being shouted at
- Highways teams facing aggression over delays beyond their control
- Parking enforcement officers being physically confronted while carrying out their job
- Further examples of abuse can be found in our unreasonable behaviour policy
Recent incidents include:
- A BB gun fired at a worker
- A brick thrown through a car windscreen
These incidents should never be part of working on the frontline. These workers are real people, with families and responsibilities, simply doing their jobs.
The effect of abuse on victims can be that they struggle with health and wellbeing, it can affect their ability to carry out their work and impact on their personal lives.
Abuse can take many forms, both verbal and non-verbal.
Verbal abuse
This includes yelling, insults, swearing, name-calling, demeaning remarks, or harassment. Comments based on gender, race, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious belief, or political preferences create a hostile environment and are deeply hurtful.
Physical abuse
This includes hitting, pushing, sexual harassment, sexual assault, and being struck by an object. Such acts not only cause physical pain but also negatively affect emotional and mental wellbeing.
Abusive behaviour can be demonstrated by:
Threats and intimidation
Verbal or written threats create a sense of fear and pressure, affecting the member of staff directly and impacting on them having a safe, healthy work environment.
Humiliation and public criticism
This can be in public or online. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect, even when mistakes are made.
Abuse is never acceptable, no matter the situation or the individuals involved. Not only does it impact on the victim, it can have a wider effect too. It can harm morale, reduce productivity, and can even lead to employees feeling they have to leave their employment. We all have a responsibility to create a safe and respectful environment where staff feel secure.
See it, report it
If you witness or experience abuse, please report it by calling 101.
By working together, we can ensure a positive community for everyone. Abuse should not be ignored, excused, or tolerated.
Let's create a culture of respect. There is No Excuse for Abuse.