Women in customerservice positions often have to suffer from sexualisation. They are often not taken serious and get flirted with. Often they are called sexualised and indiscreet nicknames like missy, darling, baby …. This phenomenon is often seen with waitresses, flight attendants, service desk employees and so on. Those situations are very uncomfortable and offensive to the female employees.
ACTION is needed!
Maybe you don’t even know if women in your company are suffering from this problem, BUT you should find out now!
YOUR BONUS:
Affected women feel uncomfortable and may resign to find a different position, in which they suffer less from sexualisation.
THAT DOESN’T HAVE TO HAPPEN.
Three Tips:
HOW TO MAKE IT HAPPEN
Inform the female employees that they are NOT expected to accept this behaviour. Some employees maybe think that it is part of their job to deal with this indiscreet behaviour or that they even have to accept the flirting to increase customer satisfaction. Explain in meetings that the employees are free to report indiscreet and sexualised comments or behaviour from customers.
Make room for complaints!
For example:
- Design an anonymous online forum, where the employees can report their complaints.
- Set meetings, in which everyone can discuss current problems or specific customers, which create uncomfortable situations for the female employees.
Inform your customers that you don’t accept any indiscreet and sexualised behaviour towards your female employees in customer service. You can hang up signs in customer service areas and inform on your company’s website.
For example:
“Our customer service experts treat you with respect. We expect you to treat them with respect too.”
“We are a feminist company. We won’t accept any indiscreet behaviour towards our employees.”
Feminism at the Workplace 