It is now law in this country to behave with dignity and respect towards each other.
This is how it should be!
All companies and workplaces must have a policy that expresses a zero tolerance towards abusive behaviour.
This is a copy of the zero tolerance document displayed in my local GP surgery:
ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY ON ABUSIVE BEHAVIOUR
All staff will treat users of our services politely and with respect. In return, we expect to be treated in the same way.
This means that we will not accept verbal abuse, harassment or violence against either our staff or our service users under any conditions.
IN THE EVENT OF ANY VIOLENT OR ABUSIVE BEHAVIOUR, WE WILL TAKE FIRM ACTION
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MAKE YOUR OWN ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY!!!
In the 21st Century, and after all the wars and violence that has been perpetrated over the preceeding millenia or two, and because of all the wars, violence in the home and general nastiness out on the streeets OCCURING RIGHT NOW, this policy must be understood more widely and by everybody.
It is not acceptible to take out your bad temper, unresolved emotional past history or current upsets against other people.
There are anger management courses widely available.
There are many sources to learn conflict management and dispute settlement that you can go to for help.
There are therapists, counsellors and advisors aplenty.
There is a great understanding out there now of how damaging and destructive violence and abusive behaviour is to the perpetrator and to the recipient.
DEAL WITH YOUR OWN STUFF CORRECTLY AND DO NOT RESORT TO VIOLENT OR ABUSIVE BEHAVIOUR IN YOUR DEALINGS WITH OTHER PEOPLE.
OTHER PEOPLE ARE NOT PUT ON THIS EARTH FOR YOU TO VENT YOUR UNRESOLVED ISSUES UPON.
IT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE TO BE AN ABUSER UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES WHATSOEVER.
HELP IS AVAILABLE TO ANYONE WHO FEELS THEY CANNOT CONTROL UNRESOLVED EMOTIONS.
REMEMBER HOW AWFUL IT IS TO BE ATTACKED VERBALLY, PHYSICALLY, MENTALLY OR EMOTIONALLY AND NEVER BEHAVE IN THIS WAY TO OTHER PEOPLE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES WHATSOEVER.
It is also most important to ensure that no one behaves abusively towards you.
The victim also has responsibility here.
If you let someone get away with violent or abusive behaviour, then you are complicit with that behaviour.
You must act to prevent it.
Remain calm and think!
This is most threatening and dangerous.
No one is saying it is easy.
However, we must all recover our own sense of self and teach the world a new way of being.
The principle is sound, the path is very difficult.
We will all walk it together.
Communication is the only route open at the moment.
Hopefully, understanding will follow.