Customer service in Covid

As someone who works in Government, Covid has made my job much more difficult. I’ve been verbally abused, cornered and yelled at by rude customers of all sorts. Generally, I’m ok with handling rude customers. I always try to maintain an assertive yet calm and empathetic attitude to help defuse a situation from escalating. But this pandemic has made things much worse. The rules keep changing constantly which really frustrates me because I can hardly keep up with all these new ever changing policies. I’m the one that has to break the sad news to people that they need to book appointments to come in. I wish more people would try to understand how hard it is for those of us who work in the public sector to deal with abuse on a daily basis on the front lines. We do the best we can. Don’t judge us.

15 Comments

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Different people...

Nov 5, 2021 at 2:15am

... communicate in different ways. I would not take it personally.

Unless you think they might be right! I mean, you know which side you would've been on in WW2 unless personally inconvenient to _you_!

3 13Rating: -10

Anonymous

Nov 5, 2021 at 5:50am

Once had to go to the Embassy and talk to someone and was appalled by the morons who were also talking to the government people, who themselves were perfectly alright.

People without any clue, asking dumb question after question.

The nice lady was visibly moved at the idea that I knew my business.

8 1Rating: +7

Anonymous

Nov 5, 2021 at 12:44pm

It must have been because you had your mask under your nose behind the plexiglass

3 14Rating: -11

I'm a cashier

Nov 5, 2021 at 2:04pm

For the first time ever. A few months ago I physically ran into a bear while riding my bike and that was less scary and stressful than being a COVID Christmas time cashier. :)

13 2Rating: +11

Amir Yuhait

Nov 5, 2021 at 5:35pm

“Don’t judge us”… my how the tables turn. I don’t believe in karma… but I do believe Life’s a Bitch. You reap what you sow… I’m terribly sorry could you wait on the line I have another call coming in.

Protected

Nov 5, 2021 at 8:53pm

You’re protected by the socialist union here. Lucky. You aren’t a rocket scientist

6 9Rating: -3

Wow

Nov 6, 2021 at 5:09am

This is a very well written confession and I can totally relate. The morons who attack the OP have clearly never worked in customer service so who can expect any empathy from these small minded ignoramuses. Nimrods like that clearly belong in a warehouse where they can be as antisocial as they like from dawn to dusk.

9 3Rating: +6

@Protected

Nov 6, 2021 at 5:11am

Hey! It just so happens that I’m on the union. We do protect our members so that they feel safe at work in all matters: physically, mentally and emotionally. Have some respect.

8 12Rating: -4

Not a "customer".

Nov 6, 2021 at 3:27pm

People who access government services (I never do)are not customers. As far as the state is concerned we are all conscripts. I don't waste any time with private sector customer 'service' either, I just cut my losses and remember to avoid lousy businesses. I'm only here for the fresh air and sunshine, everything else is just maintenance.

4 3Rating: +1

Anonymous

Nov 6, 2021 at 5:17pm

You work for the government. Bed's made, lie in it

6 5Rating: +1

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