Workplace dilemmas: my customer is over familiar and it makes me uncomfortable

What do you do when a customer is overly attentive?

The latest in our series sees Just Recruitment’s agony uncle advise someone who feels their customer is overstepping the mark

Dear Tim,

I work in a customer-facing role for a local motor parts supplier. I’m a twenty-something female and we’re encouraged to be bubbly and friendly with everyone who comes into the warehouse*.

A lot of our customers are regulars. They work at local garages and use us as a quick fix when they need a part urgently.

I like this contact with people. It helps build rapport, and I know there are some customers, male and female, who will ask to deal with me because we get on well. I don’t want to boast, but I know my stuff, so they can be confident they’ll get a good service and sound advice.

Obviously, it makes me feel great when a customer specifically asks for me. But there is one person, a middle-aged man who runs a local workshop, whose attentions I’m less keen on.

Over the last couple of months, he’s asked for me every time he’s come in, and I don’t think it would be overstating things to say he’s been acting flirtatiously. There have been a couple of occasions when I’ve doubted that he really needed to be there. One time, he asked if he could come out to the racks with me to help search for a product, saying he needed a very particular specification.

Again, I don’t want to overstate things, but I’ve also become aware that he looks at me really intently. And if I’m pretty sure I’ve caught him trying to look down my top more than once.

Now obviously, I don’t want to make a fuss. He’s a loyal customer who spends a lot with us, so I need to stay on good terms with him. But I feel increasingly uneasy when he’s around and I want to avoid his attentions. That’s well and good, but I often work on our front desk by myself, so it’s not even as if I can make myself scarce when I catch sight of him.

I worry that if I mention this to my supervisor he’ll think I’m overreacting. But, as I say, I feel really uncomfortable, so would welcome any advice you can give.

*Note: the identity of this correspondent and details of her workplace have been disguised to preserve anonymity.

Tim writes:

It’s always difficult to respond to letters like this without seeming to virtue signal, but the first thing to say is pretty straightforward: please stop apologising. If the Me Too movement teaches us anything it is that women have felt for too long as if they can’t speak out when men pay them unwelcome attention, for fear of seeming to exaggerate their concerns.

Well, here’s the thing: if you feel uncomfortable as a result of this man’s attentions, that’s the only measure you need to worry about. He could be perfectly innocent in his intentions. He may think he’s just being friendly. Then again, he may feel you have a connection and think that he’s doing a fantastic job of wooing you.

Or, in the worst case, he could be a predatory male who you need to be extremely wary of.

It’s difficult to say which of these categories he falls into without seeing the situation at first hand. But in one sense it doesn’t matter – because, if his behaviour makes you feel uneasy, it needs to stop.

Sadly, women have been forced to devise all sorts of techniques to fend off unwanted male attention. Although you say that you often work on the front desk alone, it may be worth alerting your colleagues in the warehouse to your predicament. If the customer comes in when you’re on duty, you could pop back and tell them so they know to come and take over while you stay out of the way. Or, if it’s hard to leave your desk, maybe you could ring them with an agreed code word that prompts their appearance, maybe by asking for a particular part number, so as not to arouse suspicion.

As an alternative, you could have a conversation with the customer to make it clear you’re not interested. I appreciate that you may not like this idea, since it would be easy for him to deny that he’s paying you any particular attention. But, even so, it may just be what he needs to back off.

Go down this route and I’d strongly advise that you have a witness to the conversation. It needn’t be your manager, but a supportive colleague who can loiter in the background and listen in. That will ensure you have someone to corroborate your experience, and to step in if things turn ugly.

I wish you well in dealing with this difficult situation. As you say, it could all be perfectly innocent. But if it’s making you feel anxious, you’re perfectly within your rights to deal with it. And no one should make you feel silly for raising it as an issue.

© 2019 Just Recruitment Group Ltd

If you enjoyed this article, you may like: Workplace dilemmas: I think my colleague has fallen for me

You may also enjoy: Five of the best holiday reads

Jobs currently available

New job
Fitter/Labourer
Sector: Property and Construction
Salary: Competitive
Location: Colchester
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913696
About the role

Just Recruitment is looking for a Fitter/Labourer based near Colchester, to join a nationwide, manufacturing-based construction company known for delivering high-quality solutions and excellent customer service. With a wealth of industry experience, they understand the importance of producing top-quality products for their clients.

Ideally, you will have groundworks experience and a fencing background.

You will be travelling to sites to support the team leaders and will be involved with a lot of heavy work such as digging, lifting and manual labour.

Role requirements include:

  • Willing to work long hours
  • Physically able and willing to do manual labour
  • CSCS card is a must
  • Manual labour experience is preferable
  • A driving licence is essential
  • Happy to stay away from home as required
  • Other site-based tickets, such as Ipaf and SSSTS, are advantageous

Benefits include:

  • Competitive basic salary plus overtime
  • 20 days of holidays plus bank holidays
  • Lots of progression is available, as this company like to promote within
  • Opportunity to be put through training courses

This is an excellent opportunity to join a vibrant company on a full-time, permanent basis.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
New job
Field Service Technician (York/Darlington)
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: Discussed on application
Location: York, Darlington
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: TB03
About the role

Due to continued growth, one of the world's leading providers of vehicle washing technology is recruiting a Field Service Technician to support customers in the York / Darlington area.

Hours: Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week plus 1 in 3 weekend cover.

The role involves the service and installation of car and commercial valet equipment. You will be responsible for all aspects of planned and reactive maintenance, servicing and repairing equipment, maintaining van stock to required levels, and completing job sheets accurately.

Role requirements include:

  • You will have an Electrical or Mechanical engineering qualification
  • Be willing to travel and stay out overnight as and when required
  • Be willing to take on additional training and relevant courses, including evening courses that the company may pay for
  • Can work on your own initiative or as part of a team, and have problem-solving skills
  • Have a valid, clean UK driving licence
  • Good people skills, presentable and able to liaise directly with customers
  • Be punctual and able to keep accurate and timely documentation
  • IT literate with Microsoft Office and Outlook experience
  • Work within Health & Safety guidelines as set by the company

Benefits include:

  • Company vehicle available
  • Mobile phone
  • Pension scheme
  • Death in service benefit
  • Uniform and tools provided

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. The actual salary paid will be dependent on your level of experience, qualifications and skill set.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Forklift Driver - Counterbalance (10am - 8pm)
Sector: Transport, Logistics and Shipping
Location: Earls Colne
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JC5
About the role

Just Recruitment is delighted to be supporting a transport and logistics business in Earls Colne with the recruitment of a Forklift Driver, due to increased workload.

This is a permanent opportunity!

To be considered for this role, you must have a Counterbalance licence that is valid and up-to-date — previous experience operating these trucks is required.

This is a busy and varied role where you could be working in the yard, moving goods, stock checking, or loading and unloading trucks throughout the day.

This is a great company to be part of — offering further progression and development.

Hours: 10am to 8pm.

Overtime is also available (subject to business requirements).

Free parking is available on site, as well as further company benefits.

Please note that, due to the company’s location, you must have access to your own transport.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Forklift Driver - Bendi (8am - 6pm)
Sector: Transport, Logistics and Shipping
Location: Earls Colne, Essex
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JC4
About the role

Just Recruitment is delighted to be supporting a transport and logistics business in Earls Colne with the recruitment of a Forklift Driver, due to increased workload.

This is a permanent opportunity!

To be considered for this role, you must have a Bendi/Flexi licence that is valid and in date — previous experience operating these trucks is required.

This is a busy and varied role where you could be working in the yard, moving goods, stock checking, or loading and unloading trucks throughout the day.

This is a great company to be part of — offering further progression and development.

Hours: 8am to 6pm.

Overtime is also available (subject to business requirements).

Free parking is available on site, as well as further company benefits.

Please note that, due to the company’s location, you must have access to your own transport.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Counterbalance FLT Drivers
Sector: Production and Stock Control
Salary: £13.50 per hour
Location: Hadleigh, Suffolk
Role: Full Time
Contract: Temporary
Job ref: JT-HAD-FD-0825
About the role

Just Temps seeks reliable and hardworking Counterbalance FLT Drivers for a hands-on role in a fast-paced environment, within a well-established food manufacturing company, based in Hadleigh, Suffolk.

Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Heavy lifting – regularly handling up to 50kg
  • Ripping and tipping of raw materials
  • Maintaining a clean and safe working environment
  • Working in a dusty environment with appropriate PPE
  • Supporting general production and manufacturing tasks

Role requirements include:

  • Comfortable with heavy lifting on a continuous basis
  • Previous experience in a factory setting is desirable
  • Good attention to detail and strong work ethic
  • Reliable and punctual

What’s on offer:

  • Competitive hourly rate
  • Consistent Monday to Friday hours
  • Long-term opportunity with a reputable local employer

If you're ready to roll up your sleeves and get stuck into a vital role in the food production industry, we want to hear from you.

 

Just Temps acts as an Employment Business for the supply of Temporary Staff.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. 
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more