Every day, our colleagues work to deliver essential services that support communities across Dumfries and Galloway, whether in customer-facing roles or behind the scenes. In return, they deserve to be treated with respect and dignity in every interaction.
Abuse, aggression or intimidation towards council colleagues will not be tolerated, whether in person, over the phone or online.
A workplace built on respect
To maintain high-quality services and a safe working environment, we are asking for everyone's support in fostering a culture of respect across all interactions with council colleagues.
What this means in practice
Dumfries and Galloway Council is taking steps to ensure that respect remains central to all workplace and customer interactions. This includes:
- workplace posters displayed in council offices and customer-facing areas
- internal communications to support and inform colleagues
- messages shared through council channels
Respect is a shared responsibility
We are asking everyone to:
- treat colleagues with patience and respect in all interactions
- communicate politely and professionally, even in challenging situations
- recognise that our colleagues are here to help and should not face verbal or physical abuse
If inappropriate behaviour occurs, we will take appropriate action to ensure a safe and respectful environment for both colleagues and residents.
A long-term commitment to workplace respect
This is part of our ongoing effort to reinforce a positive and respectful workplace for all colleagues. Everyone deserves to feel safe at work, and we appreciate the support of our communities in ensuring that respect remains at the heart of everything we do.