Report It!

members with questions about their experiences of violence at work and the support provided following assaults at work, showed that nearly 40% of RMT bus members are not reporting incidents: one member wrote that it is “not worth reporting as they just laugh”; “it’s pointless reporting” another explained “nothing seems to happen if I report an incident”. Other respondents said that they only report “when serious enough to do so.” Some explained that they speak to colleagues about the incident - rather than reporting to the employer - as they wanted to make sure as many co-workers as possible were aware of the problem.

The same survey showed that there was a high level of verbal abuse. Nearly 90% or respondents had experienced this over the last two years. RMT suspect that many of the verbal assaults incidents are not reported by members, who regard it as part of the job - an approach encouraged by many of the bus employers. Many RMT members employed in customer facing roles will encounter the same problems.

RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch recently met with the Chief Constable of British Transport Police, Lucy D’Orsi, where one of the main items of discussion was workplace violence. There have been a number of incidents in recent months on C2C, for example, and RMT is working with the company to tackle this menace to our members.

Members are reminded to report any incident of violence at work, however trivial it may seem. RMT will give you our full support.