EVERY councillor in Dumfries and Galloway stood united last week to clamp down on abuse towards council staff.
They unanimously approved bringing in a clear zero tolerance policy that will protect the 6500 workforce, contractors, and elected members themselves from verbal, physical, sexual, or mental abuse.
The issue was discussed at the full meeting of Dumfries and Galloway Council last week where Archie Dryburgh highlighted an increase in the abuse local authority workers endure from members of the public.
He said: “This issue has come to our attention more and more. This is about having a zero tolerance of any form of abuse – whether it’s physical, sexual, verbal, or mental – on our staff and contractors in Dumfries and Galloway.
“There’s a whole range of things that are unacceptable standards of behaviour.”
He asked his colleagues to combat this problem by supporting the introduction of a zero tolerance policy on abuse towards council staff, contractors, and elected members.
Lochar Councillor Linda Dorward seconded the motion, and said: “Everyone deserves and expects to work in an environment free from physical, psychological, and verbal abuse.
“Unfortunately, despite these expectations, reported incidents are on the increase.”
Meanwhile, council leader Gail Macgregor said: “I welcome the motion. It very much builds on the work that we’ve been doing with the joint consultative group, and the commitments we’ve made to trade union colleagues to protect our members and staff in the workplace.”
