Refusing Service
Discussion
Not me but this topic of conversation came up in work.
A relative of a colleague works for a big company in the retail sector.
Customer comes into the shop and instantly takes a disliking to a member of staff on the shopfloor. This is followed by what can be described as a torrent of racial abuse directed at them by the customer. Colleague walks off and refuses any further service to the customer.
Other members of staff including members of management on hearing the abuse refuse to serve the woman and after several minutes the woman and her child leave the shop empty handed threatening to 'sue' them all.
A few days later the woman complains to the big boys at the top and the target of the abuse is called into a meeting to discuss the issues
Question - Is it justified for the other members of staff to refuse to serve because someone is racially abusing their colleague?
Would a company dare to discipline employees for refusing service on that basis?
A relative of a colleague works for a big company in the retail sector.
Customer comes into the shop and instantly takes a disliking to a member of staff on the shopfloor. This is followed by what can be described as a torrent of racial abuse directed at them by the customer. Colleague walks off and refuses any further service to the customer.
Other members of staff including members of management on hearing the abuse refuse to serve the woman and after several minutes the woman and her child leave the shop empty handed threatening to 'sue' them all.
A few days later the woman complains to the big boys at the top and the target of the abuse is called into a meeting to discuss the issues
Question - Is it justified for the other members of staff to refuse to serve because someone is racially abusing their colleague?
Would a company dare to discipline employees for refusing service on that basis?
Edited by BlueHave on Thursday 4th August 03:40
charltjr said:
Of course the bosses are going to want to discuss the issue with the employee. I can imagine what the woman claimed when she spoke to them, probably insinuated she was insulted first and was only reacting in kind.
Yep, it's unlikely the customer told the management she racially abused the employee. If she did, the management should be encouraging the supporting the employee to make a complaint to the police as racial abuse is likely to amount to a crime.
Hopefully the company will support the employee. I'm often shocked by the rudeness of some people and I don't see why people should have to put up with it.
Whilst it's true that there is no legal requirement for a business to serve anybody (racial or other legislated discrimination excepted), generally employers would not expect their staff to refuse to perform their duties without a good reason. So an employee might be legally allowed to refuse to serve anyone with long hair, his employer would also have a good justification for sacking him.
Whilst it's true that there is no legal requirement for a business to serve anybody (racial or other legislated discrimination excepted), generally employers would not expect their staff to refuse to perform their duties without a good reason. So an employee might be legally allowed to refuse to serve anyone with long hair, his employer would also have a good justification for sacking him.
My missus runs a post office, she had a complaint of racial discrimination made against her... By a white woman! 
The woman in question had incorrect documentation (she had got married to a foreigner and hadn't changed her ID) so her husband sent in a complaint about racial discrimination.
You couldn't make it up
The woman in question had incorrect documentation (she had got married to a foreigner and hadn't changed her ID) so her husband sent in a complaint about racial discrimination.
You couldn't make it up
SlackBladder said:
WinstonWolf said:
My missus runs a post office, she had a complaint of racial discrimination made against her... By a white woman!
Fail to see the need for the last statement or the laughter. Are you saying that only 'white' people (your words) can give racial abuse?
king hilarious...I imagine that it would be rare for any find of shop to have any policy other than to refuse to serve customer who are abusive to staff.
Maybe some high end stores selling really over priced st to wkers might have a different policy, but it would have to be well beyond apple store level of over priced, i know because i've been asked to leave an apple store before.
Maybe some high end stores selling really over priced s
t to wkers might have a different policy, but it would have to be well beyond apple store level of over priced, i know because i've been asked to leave an apple store before.BlueHave said:
A few days later the woman complains to the big boys at the top and the target of the abuse is called into a meeting to discuss the issues
Nothing wrong with ascertaining the facts & getting the other side of the story.BlueHave said:
Is it justified for the other members of staff to refuse to serve because someone is racially abusing their colleague?
Damn right.BlueHave said:
Would a company dare to discipline employees for refusing service on that basis?
Not if they have any sense, no.WinstonWolf said:
SlackBladder said:
WinstonWolf said:
My missus runs a post office, she had a complaint of racial discrimination made against her... By a white woman!
Fail to see the need for the last statement or the laughter. Are you saying that only 'white' people (your words) can give racial abuse?king hilarious...SlackBladder said:
WinstonWolf said:
SlackBladder said:
WinstonWolf said:
My missus runs a post office, she had a complaint of racial discrimination made against her... By a white woman!
Fail to see the need for the last statement or the laughter. Are you saying that only 'white' people (your words) can give racial abuse?king hilarious...
It was the woman's own fault, she had incorrect documentation and tried to make a 'racial complaint' as she'd married a foreigner.
WinstonWolf said:
My missus runs a post office, she had a complaint of racial discrimination made against her... By a white woman!
The woman in question had incorrect documentation (she had got married to a foreigner and hadn't changed her ID) so her husband sent in a complaint about racial discrimination.
You couldn't make it up
When I worked at a certain red brick uni, I interviewed a lad and decided that whilst he had the skills for the role, his attitude sucked and he wouldn't be a good fit for the team, he put in a complaint that he didn't get the job due to my racism.The woman in question had incorrect documentation (she had got married to a foreigner and hadn't changed her ID) so her husband sent in a complaint about racial discrimination.
You couldn't make it up
HR loved this and were frothing at the mouth to get me, they investigated these "very serious allegations" against me, warning me of dire consequences at worst and comprehensive D&I reprogramming at best.
I took my new hire along to the meeting with HR, as I thought it best to see that the guy I had hired was a muslim graduate, HR seemed most disappointed that I had whizzed on their chips.
Sales are discretionary under UK law - google 'invitation to treat'. The goods are on offer, but the seller is under no compulsion to sell, nor to negotiate to the potential customer's liking.
Simply put, just because it's in the shop window doesn't the retailer has to sell - at all. They can refuse custom, for no reason. Yes, the colleagues were entirely justified as I understand it - no reason is required.
And the 'management' should be keen to understand why this happened, and support the member of staff on the sharp end - not make an issue of potentially losing a sale.
(and, IMO, subsequently tell the complaining customer to FRO)
Simply put, just because it's in the shop window doesn't the retailer has to sell - at all. They can refuse custom, for no reason. Yes, the colleagues were entirely justified as I understand it - no reason is required.
And the 'management' should be keen to understand why this happened, and support the member of staff on the sharp end - not make an issue of potentially losing a sale.
(and, IMO, subsequently tell the complaining customer to FRO)
Edited by Huff on Thursday 4th August 20:53
Vandenberg said:
When I worked at a certain red brick uni, I interviewed a lad and decided that whilst he had the skills for the role, his attitude sucked and he wouldn't be a good fit for the team, he put in a complaint that he didn't get the job due to my racism.
HR loved this and were frothing at the mouth to get me, they investigated these "very serious allegations" against me, warning me of dire consequences at worst and comprehensive D&I reprogramming at best.
I took my new hire along to the meeting with HR, as I thought it best to see that the guy I had hired was a muslim graduate, HR seemed most disappointed that I had whizzed on their chips.
Maybe it's just me but how does hiring a muslim prove you're not racist? HR loved this and were frothing at the mouth to get me, they investigated these "very serious allegations" against me, warning me of dire consequences at worst and comprehensive D&I reprogramming at best.
I took my new hire along to the meeting with HR, as I thought it best to see that the guy I had hired was a muslim graduate, HR seemed most disappointed that I had whizzed on their chips.
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