Attacks On Service Workers

Working in customer service is not for the faint of heart. Retail clerks and fast food workers are fearing for their lives as attacks on service workers rise. And we’re not talking about verbal attacks. Yelling, screaming, and cursing at workers is nothing new for customers. Now they’re getting even more aggressive and resorting to physical violence.

2024 ended on a bad note when a man was caught stealing from a Five Below store on December 21 in South Carolina. An employee confronted the man, who attacked the employee. The man scratched the employee multiple times before fleeing the store. The employee was treated for minor injuries. The man is wanted for assault and robbery.

In another incident, a customer at a Chipotle restaurant attacked its workers over double meat and condiments. A customer walked into the restaurant and demanded a refund for her order.

The customer had ordered the burrito bowl through UberEats and claimed it was wrong when it arrived. Employees explained that she would have to get a refund through the delivery app, and not through the store. Instead, the woman demanded they remake her order.

The woman then walked behind the counter and started to make her own burrito bowl. When an employee tried to take the bowl away from her, she hit him and threw the bowl at him.

The woman did take one of the bowls that she made and also plans on suing Chipotle. The incident was considered simple assault. It’s unknown if the woman will be charged with any crime.

Just a few hours after the clock struck midnight in 2025, police in Missouri responded to an incident at Steak ‘n Shake. A group of people were inside smoking. When an employee asked them to not smoke, an argument ensued. Several people jumped over the restaurant’s counter and walked into the cooking area to confront employees. Some employees held members of the customer group back as other members of the group threw things at employees. One of the suspects punched two employees.

The group who attacked the employees fled the scene before the police arrived. None of the employees needed medical attention, but they were shaken by the attack nonetheless.

What Can Employers Do?

These attacks on employees can be scary and stressful. Here’s how employers can mitigate them:

• Employee training. Teach conflict de-escalation techniques and how to handle difficult situations safely.
• Security measures. Install surveillance cameras, employ security guards, and design safe layouts.
• Clear policies. Establish and enforce a zero-tolerance policy for violence and abuse.
• Support systems. Provide access to counseling and support for affected employees.

Contact Us for More Information About Workers’ Compensation Benefits

Retail and fast food workers aren’t as worried about workplace accidents as they are about customer violence. It’s a real issue that’s becoming a growing concern.

If you have been injured in the workplace by a violent customer, be sure to let your supervisor know. Then you should contact a White Plains workers’ compensation lawyer from The Law Office of Michael Lawrence Varon. Fill out the online form or call (914) 228-1770 to schedule a consultation today.

Source:

workerscompensation.com/daily-headlines/2024-ends-2025-begins-with-more-attacks-on-food-service-workers/