M
Member
Speaking in the House of Lords on 14 July 2025
Debate
Employment Rights BillContribution
One danger is that it sets up another conflict: a toxic relationship between public-facing workplaces and the public. Employers will be forced to treat the public as a source of potential problems—to be managed, to be shushed in case they say the wrong thing—and to encourage their employees to see customers, often their fellow workers, as the enemy. In sectors where customer relationships are crucial, such as retail and hospitality, this could strain interactions between staff and patrons. Customers often appreciate friendly, personable service, which includes light-hearted conversations, jokes and banter. If they perceive that such casual conversations are being policed, that will diminish the social interaction of both sides.
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