Latest news with #hostility
Forbes
06-08-2025
- Health
- Forbes
Tackling The Epidemic Of Violence And Abuse Against Service Workers
There is a growing and uncomfortable issue that we as a society need to address. It's something that impacts some of our most important customer service workers, from those working in retail outlets and hospitality, to employees manning call centers and social media channels, right through to those coming into our homes and working in our public spaces. This issue is the rising levels of abuse, insults, intimidation, threats and physical violence that is fast becoming a normal part of working life. Violence and abuse - the scale of the problem In North America, 75% of workers report being impacted by workplace violence. Meanwhile, in the UK, data from the Institute of Customer Service shows that 42% of customer-facing workers experienced customer abuse and hostility in the past six months, up nearly 20% year-on-year. This is despite many working long hours and dedicating their lives to making sure our homes, stores, third spaces, transport systems, and infrastructure run smoothly, efficiently and are welcoming spaces for the community. This is a societal problem being faced on a global scale and is having a devastating impact not only on a personal level, but also on businesses and public services – and in turn on economies. Distress To Individuals These incidents cause deep and lasting distress to millions of individuals and can lead to increased stress, burnout, anxiety, and fear. There is a clear correlation between being the victim of hostility and suffering from negative mental health or even physical health. According to a study by the European Foundation for Improvement of Living and Working Conditions across 36 countries, people who experience adverse social behavior in the workplace are around three times more likely to experience physical and emotional burnout and almost twice as likely to suffer from anxiety or be at risk of depression. The data from The Institute shows that nearly 40% of people who work in customer facing roles are considering quitting because of the abuse they receive. Furthermore, 26% of those facing abuse have taken time off work of because of the physical or psychological abuse they have experienced. Through this research, we have heard extreme examples such as service workers being spat on, having drinks thrown on them, being physically pushed and kicked, and receiving extreme verbal, racist, and homophobic abuse. This shows that these incidents aren't causing deep distress to individuals, but have a wider impact on workplace morale, staff turnover and business productivity. Addressing The Customer Abuse Issue Despite the clear impact this is having in individuals and organisations, I am deeply concerned that the issue isn't being properly addressed. In the UK, 44% of those who took part in the Institute's Service with Respect survey say their employer has no clear procedures for reporting customer abuse. This suggests a concerning disconnect between some employers and their staff, and that workers in these situations have little faith the abusers will be banned or sanctioned by their employers. There is a strong need to recognize the seriousness of the situation, demonstrate a duty of care and act decisively to put in place compassionate and deterrent led measures to address the issue, including having clear reporting systems, banning offenders or excluding them from organisations, and training staff and management to know how to deal with incidents of abuse and provide compassionate and effective support for colleagues. However, this isn't an issue that businesses can solve alone. It needs the combined efforts and backing of law enforcement and law makers too. Surprisingly , in many countries including the US, standalone laws against abuse of customer service workers don't exist and there is little that authorities can do to hold perpetrators to account unless incidents become physically violent or there is repeated harassment. In many instances, there is a complicated patchwork of protections that varies country by country, even state by state with the onus often falling on employers, rather than on law enforcement to address the issue. That being said, we are seeing long overdue progress in some areas. Driven by spikes in incidents, especially since the pandemic, lawmakers are now playing catch up and introducing specific laws for abuse of workers to punish offenders. For instance in the UK, assaults on retail workers are set to be made a standalone offence under the new Crime and Policing Bill. In 2021 in Germany, their criminal code was updated to provide protections for public sector staff or those working for public services, but it didn't extend to protect private sector workers, such as those who work in retail or other service organisations. Whilst these more specific laws demonstrate progress, they are still stopping short of providing adequate protections for all customer service workers. The UK's Crime and Policing Bill only goes halfway to solving the issue by singling out retail workers, but neglecting all other groups which make up the majority of customer service roles in the country. In Germany, the opposite issue is the case, and legislation misses protections for those working in retail, along with other private workplaces like call centers, restaurants and banks. These attempts to tackle the issue means we are missing opportunities to stop this epidemic from spreading and can appear to be not fully thought through. Respect Goes Both Ways We should not be excusing or ignoring the real, prevalent issue of poor customer service. Respect goes both ways, and customers should expect well-trained, empowered colleagues supported by the leaders, systems and safeguards they need to serve customer well. Indeed, all these things help to reduce customer frustration. There is a big difference, however, between the legitimate annoyance you might feel as a customer who has received poor experience, and allowing that irritation to tip over in abuse or violence. Frontline workers need protecting alongside service levels improving. This isn't just a case of a small number of isolated incidents, but a concerning global trend impacting every sector – from retail to transport and infrastructure, right through to financial services, hospitality, and utilities – that threatens mental wellbeing and health of people globally, as well as having a significant impact on business's bottom lines. This should be particularly concerning when many global economies are facing sluggish growth and low productivity. To address it, we need public and private sector leaders to work together, recognize the role they can play and act to introduce the robust deterrents and protections needed and work to foster a culture of respect, understanding and appreciation for the customer service workers we interact with every day.
Asharq Al-Awsat
28-07-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Kim Jong Un's Sister Rejects Outreach by South's New President
The influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un rebuffed overtures by South Korea's new liberal government, saying Monday that its 'blind trust' in the country's alliance with the US and hostility toward North Korea make it no different from its conservative predecessor. Kim Yo Jong's comments imply that North Korea — now preoccupied with its expanding cooperation with Russia — sees no need to resume diplomacy with South Korea and the US anytime soon. Experts say she likely hopes to drive a wedge between Seoul and Washington. 'We clarify once again the official stand that no matter what policy is adopted and whatever proposal is made in Seoul, we have no interest in it and there is neither a reason to meet nor an issue to be discussed,' Kim Yo Jong said in a statement carried by state media. It's North Korea's first official statement on the government of South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, which took office in early June with a promise to improve badly frayed ties with North Korea. Lee's government has halted anti-Pyongyang frontline loudspeaker broadcasts, taken steps to ban activists from flying balloons with propaganda leaflets across the border and repatriated North Koreans who were drifted south in wooden boats months earlier. North Korea has shunned talks with South Korea and the US since leader Kim Jong Un's high-stakes nuclear diplomacy with President Donald Trump fell apart in 2019 due to wrangling over international sanctions. North Korea has since focused on building more powerful nuclear weapons targeting its rivals and declared a hostile 'two-state' system on the Korean Peninsula to terminate relations with South Korea. Kim Yo Jong called Lee's steps 'sincere efforts' to develop ties, but said the new government still 'stands in confrontation' with North Korea. She mentioned the upcoming summertime South Korea-US military drills, which North Korea views as an invasion rehearsal. South Korea's Unification Ministry responded that it will steadfastly seek reconciliation with North Korea to realize peaceful coexistence. Spokesperson Koo Byoungsam told reporters that the statement shows North Korea closely monitors the Lee government's North Korea policy despite deep mistrust. Moon Seong Mook, an analyst for the Seoul-based Korea Research Institute for National Strategy, said Kim Yo Jong's statement shows North Korea is holding out for South Korea to abandon the US alliance. Moon said that Kim likely sees little upside in engaging with the South since it cannot restart economic projects that previously benefited the North as long as international sanctions remain in place. North Korea focuses on Russian ties North Korea built cooperation with Russia, sending troops and conventional weapons to support its war in Ukraine, and likely receiving economic and technological assistance in return. Since beginning his second term in January, Trump has repeatedly boasted of his personal ties with Kim Jong Un and expressed intent to resume diplomacy with him. But North Korea hasn't publicly responded to Trump's overture. Leif-Eric Easley, professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, said that Kim Yo Jong's statement had a domestic audience. 'Kim Yo Jong's comments are an effort to advance national pride by portraying North Korea in a superior position, despite its economic struggles and international pariah status,' Easley said. 'She also seeks to justify Pyongyang's weapons programs and divide Seoul and Washington by criticizing upcoming military exercises.' Still, there is a limit on what North Korea can get from Russia, and Pyongyang could change course at a major upcoming meeting of the ruling Workers' Party, likely to be held in January, said Kwak Gil Sup, the head of One Korea Center, a website specializing in North Korea affairs. 'I think North Korea may formulate a Plan B and Plan C in relations for South Korea and the US,' Kwak said.
Washington Post
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Bolsonaro, accused of urging U.S. hostility, ordered to wear ankle bracelet
RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazilian authorities Friday morning accused former president Jair Bolsonaro of conspiring with his son to incite U.S. hostility against Brazil and destabilize his own country, ordering Brazil's most popular conservative politician to wear an ankle bracelet and barring him from contacts with foreign governments. The order, signed by Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, also placed Bolsonaro under house arrest outside of business hours and prohibited him from communicating with others under Supreme Court investigation — including his son, Eduardo.
Forbes
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Forbes
Spiking Tensions Between Russia And Azerbaijan Could Affect Us All
The tectonic plates of global power politics crunched together at a new focal point in recent days as Russia and Azerbaijan insulted each other publicly with the world watching. It started with a police raid on an extended family of nearly 50 Azeris, mostly businessmen, residing in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg. Some were arrested, some allegedly tortured, others beaten up, even killed, according to Azeri media. The incident spawned outrage on Baku media, the cancellation of cultural events and the arrest of Russian journalists by Azeri authorities - followed by more tit-for-tat arrests and other hostile incidents. This, soon after the two sides had patched up a rift caused by the shoot-down of a civilian Azeri airplane allegedly by Russia in December. Moscow repudiated responsibility which angered Baku further. Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov looks on during a meeting with his Azerbaijani, Iranian, ... More Armenian and Turkish counterparts to discuss the issues of the South Caucasus region in Tehran on October 23, 2023. In recent days, tensions have spiked between Russia and Azerbaijan (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)What does this renewed hostility portend and why should the world care? As the German Marshall Fund link above states 'the forcefulness of the (recent) actions by (the two governments) suggests that there is a hidden cause of the conflict' and adds there's some likelihood that it 'should be seen as part of geopolitical discord between Russia and Azerbaijan' based around Moscow's exclusion from the Zangezur Corridor . Readers of this column will be familiar with the term - it's a potential trade corridor that allows Central Asian trade to bypass Russian territory and go directly southward to the world via Turkey. Such a development would liberate both Azerbaijan and the Central Asian Stans from Moscow's control over their economies and rate of growth. In this context, every gesture and incident becomes symbolic of larger implications. Azeri leader President Aliyev spurned a telephone call offer from Putin while accepting one from Ukraine's deeper context to all this takes us back to the second Armenia-Azerbaijan war over Nagorno-Karabakh in 2023. The first one in the 1990s was won by Armenia, the second by Azerbaijan which retook the territory despite Moscow's military base in Armenia supposedly providing a security guarantee for Yerevan. Russian inaction shocked the world - and alienated the Armenian population - at the time. Coming before the debacles of Syria and Iran, it was indeed a shock. But Moscow deftly switched sides and made offers to Azerbaijan for Russian participation in the Corridor. Another interpretation was that Moscow had allowed Baku to win the Karabakh war for now, but fully expecting a piece of the pie in return - and that piece would effectively restore Russian control over the trade route and its former colonies in Central why the recent hostile actions? Including Ukraine-based reports that a Russia-Azerbaijan war is impending and that Russia is reinforcing its military base in Armenia for just such a confrontation. The most likely accelerants seem to be a wholly unexpected Azeri-Armenia rapprochement, hitherto historical enemies, and the US offer to provide an American company to preside over, i.e. defend from Russia, the Zangezur Corridor going through Armenia. In either scenario, Russia's oversight gets excluded. Some have suggested that the US offer is intended to block the Azeri-Turkish dominance over the Corridor's southern end but Azerbaijan is the only non-Russian access to the Caspian so that doesn't full geostrategic shift at the world's center presupposes a cultural as well as a commercial continuum from the Stans out to the world via Turkey. We are talking not just about Azeri oil, Turkmen gas, Kazakh oil, Uzbek gold and the like. We are also talking about a pan-Turkic cultural and ethnic thread running through those countries which Moscow has divided and dominated since before 1800. Currently Turkey has displaced Russia as security guarantor and military advisor in a large swath of that area, which includes a full-scale military base in Azerbaijan. But there are other forces opposed to that new alignment, which, as receptacle of a new global trade route, would maximally empower Turkey's throw-weight into the Middle East and Eastern Mediterranean. Iran certainly wouldn't be happy but it has bigger problems at present. Israel and Greece would also try to stymie a pan-Turkic outflow of funds and power thrusting a combative Erdogan into their zones of Russia, the threat derives not merely from its former southern colonies breaking out of post-Soviet dependence but also from the potential instability within its own borders should ethnic Turkic regions such as the Tatarstan and Buryatia feel inspired to follow suit. And, of course, geopolitical distractions of that kind in Russia's nether regions would equally stymie Moscow's ability to focus on Ukraine, Europe and the Baltics. In short, what may seem like a circumscribed confrontation in a relatively isolated zone could trigger a massive realignment in global power balances.
South China Morning Post
07-06-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Thanks to Trump, Russians now see Germany, not US, as most hostile country: survey
Germany is now considered the most hostile country towards Russia, a survey conducted by the independent Moscow-based polling institute Levada showed. The survey found that 55 per cent of respondents named Germany as the most unfriendly state – a 40 percentage point increase since May 2020. In contrast, the United States, which held the top position for two decades, was named by only 40 per cent of respondents, compared to 76 per cent last year. This shift is attributed to the revival of Russian-American relations under US President Donald Trump, the institute said. Germany, however, has faced increasing criticism from the Russian leadership, particularly due to its arms deliveries to Ukraine, which has been under attack by Russia. The tone has notably hardened since Chancellor Friedrich Merz took office last month. The United Kingdom ranked second among countries perceived as hostile to Russia, with 49 per cent of respondents, followed by Ukraine at 43 per cent. 02:33 Nato kick-starts its largest-ever air force exercise in Germany, but says Russia is not the target Nato kick-starts its largest-ever air force exercise in Germany, but says Russia is not the target The representative survey also asked Russians to name the five countries they associate as having the closest and friendliest relations with Russia.
