Thread

1. giarc · 1790175355 · focus · HN ↗

   I think these are the key sentences in that article (below). This bylaw is probably targeted toward citizens that come in and berate staff because they find out they have an unpaid parking ticket from 2 years ago that they have to pay before renewing their license (for example).

   >The new Montreal bylaw would ban insults, harassment, threats, abuse and intimidation, as well as offensive and aggressive behaviour.

   >It also includes provisions saying city employees could refuse to provide services to someone who misbehaves. However, the bylaw doesn't define what could be construed as an insult.

   1. cucumber3732842 · 1790175611 · focus · HN ↗

      > This bylaw is probably targeted toward citizens that come in and berate staff because they find out they have an unpaid parking ticket from 2 years ago that they have to pay before renewing their license (for example).

      That's how the (evil) people who support it will construe it. In reality that kind of stuff doesn't really bother employees all that much because it's just part of the job, they knew it going in and everyone agrees those sort of people are out of line.

      What bothers employees is when they get heckled for doing (in the course of their job) stuff that just about everyone agrees is wrong, bad, stupid or heavy handed, because most of those employees know deep down they're in the wrong, and having it pointed out and having enough of the public agree with the hecklers in message if not in delivery is a real morale killer. And then your burnt out employees stop giving a shit, do a bad job, get caught on camera enforcing the "you had to lie through your teeth to defend it to begin with" policy in a way that lays bare how f-d up it is. And that's what they're trying to avoid by threatening to fine any peasant who opens their mouth.

      1. geaibleu · 1790177241 · focus · HN ↗

         > In reality that kind of stuff doesn't really bother employees

         Yes it does

         >they knew it going in

         No. Nor civil employees nor service workers go to work expecting to be abused.

         You sound very much like a person who likes to verbally abuse those you deem beneath you

         1. cucumber3732842 · 1790197843 · focus · HN ↗

            While it's not pleasant angry people who are wrong or unjustified doesn't burn out employees.

            Angry people who are right burn out employees.

            Nobody likes being a human shield for their employer.

Unofficial Hacker News client; not affiliated with Y Combinator.