CDC Advises Employees Not to Argue with a Customer If They “Become Violent”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued new guidance to help businesses prevent violence. “Don't argue with a customer if they make threats or become violent,” they announced. If necessary, employees should instead go to a safe area.

“Ideally, a room that locks from the inside, has a second exit route, and has a phone or silent alarm,” the CDC said.

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus, the CDC has advised businesses to implement safety procedures. These include mandatory masks for both employees and customers. The safety procedures also include asking customers to keep distance and limiting the number of customers inside a business.

However, according to the CDC, with such policies, “workers may be threatened and assaulted.”

In addition to advising not to argue with a customer, the CDC also advises that employees should not “attempt to force anyone who appears upset or violent to follow COVID-19 prevention policies or other policies or practices related to COVID-19 (e.g., limits on number of household or food products).”

The CDC advises employees to “attend all employer-provided training on how to recognize, avoid, and respond to potentially violent situations.”

The agency also encourages them to “report perceived threats or acts of violence to your manager or supervisor.” They also advised them to “remain aware of and support coworkers and customers if a threatening or violent situation occurs.”

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