Suspended from work help or advice please

Dogger69

Dovah_diva wrote: »

Excuse me, but i would report any member of staff I heard swearing. That does not make me 'po faced' at all.

No, it makes you a do gooder with way too much time on your hands.

There is a great deal of difference about having somewhere swear at you, with intent to cause offence, and to overhear someone make a slip of tongue whilst speaking with a friend.

bluenoseam

Dogger69 wrote: »

No, it makes you a do gooder with way too much time on your hands.

There is a great deal of difference about having somewhere swear at you, with intent to cause offence, and to overhear someone make a slip of tongue whilst speaking with a friend.

I'm afraid I do not agree, while facing customers in any environment there should be a minimum standard of professionalism, that would include not swearing, period! Regardless as to if it's overheard during a private conversation or not, simple rule is if you're on the shop floor or in an area whereby a customer can hear you (i.e. telephones) or you can be easily identified (i.e. wearing uniform in public) don't do anything which can get you sacked.

OP knows her Son was fortunate that his manager gave him the benefit of the doubt, but to suggest that it's being "picky" if you'd chose to report unprofessional staff is ludicrous!

Blackbeard_of_Perranporth

I normally remind the assistant that they do not have to engage their so called friends in conversation should a profanity be heard from them. If they continue to engage, as has happened on occasions, I let them continue as normal, then serve me. I then remind them they are on show for their company and advise them to put my stuff back onto the shelf.

I walked out of the Bowl Club in Stroud recently, when a customer (female middle aged) at the bar profaned, and continued to do so. I had been away all week, and advised the bar tender to tell my wife I had gone home.

If more did the same, the better we would be.

As for abuse to shop staff, I fully support USDAWS campaign, that violence, verbal or otherwise is not tolerated.

ERICS_MUM

po-faced was a bit strong, I apologise for any offence.

However I think it was a bit much to report a member of staff for a profanity which was not aimed at a customer. I really could not do it and risk the person being fired. In the context explained by the OP I would have made a general complaint so that the store manager could issue a general reminder to all staff.

I managed a large team of relatively junior staff for years and before I formally disciplined anyone I would look at their "intent". Most were contrite, embarrassed and very apologetic about a momentary lapse. They'd get a telling off and a warning that it would be a disciplinary next time. Others were either repeat offenders or defensive and just wouldn't accept they were wrong - they got a disciplinary.

Linda xx

amiehall

I agree that the whole situation has been blown out of proportion. For a first time offence RE: swearing, I would sit down with the staff member, make it clear that it wasn't to happen again. If they were suitably apologetic, that would be the end of the matter.

I do think it a bit odd that people have nothing better to do than stick their nose in complaining about things that have nothing to do with them. If you're offended by hearing people swear in their personal conversations, walking down the street must be a trauma.