unhappy staff

proactive

fin54 wrote: »

Ok send your elderly parent into care and let them be called punters, see how you like it

if the level of service is good then whether the staff call them punters, clients or customers seems pretty immaterial to be honest

RobertoMoir

Hammyman wrote: »

I worked in one of those. Small family firm. Bosses son was my department manager. He'd call me something, I'd call him something back in return. It was all part of the banter. The family were great to work for - for example on the old mans wedding anniversary every year he'd hold a big do and the entire company staff went.

Sometimes I think that this country has gone soft and lost their sense of humour and being realistic. Not surprising I suppose when NuLabour sopent 17 years ramming "rights based society" down our throats.

I prefer to work in that kind of friendly environment myself. The thing is, what do you do if someone clearly doesn't want to be part of the "banter".

You can decide they're part of the "NuLabour rights based society" if you want (and depending on the exact circumstances I may well agree with you) but what you shouldn't do is continue to include them in the banter once they've made it clear that it is unwelcome. I think that is the OP's problem and its a reasonable one to have.

"Banter" is only "banter" when it really is a case of mutual give and take/!!!!take. If its unwelcome then it stops being banter and becomes creating an unpleasant work environment. The idea that people who might not want to get involved in this are humourless drones is as offensive and idiotic as the idea that we should all be robots devoid of personality and humour while in the workplace.

Savvy_Sue

proactive wrote: »

if the level of service is good then whether the staff call them punters, clients or customers seems pretty immaterial to be honest

I think there's a level of professionalism involved though. And if you're old / vulnerable, you may not want to be called a punter, but equally you may not know how to express that without being afraid that you'll get an unwelcome response. Just as the OP doesn't like the names they are being called, but doesn't seem the boss cares.

RobertoMoir

fin54 wrote: »

Ok send your elderly parent into care and let them be called punters, see how you like it

"punters" is maybe a less than respectful term for customers, but I'd rather be called a "punter" by someone that gives me good service than be called a "valued customer" by someone who then turns around and gives me bad service.

redcard

Change your name to Nob Head and it'll no longer be offensive.

ILW

FOURCANDLES wrote: »

My boss refers to me as" nob head every day" i asked him to stop as i find it offensive and he just says "ok tit head" what can i do ???

I quite like the sound of this bloke.