Respect our workers - Orange City Council Road Crew

Orange City Council has launched a series of videos targeting abuse and calling for better behaviour across the city and online. The videos respond to recent incidents when staff were subjected to spiteful and racist abuse as they undertook work around the city. Orange City Council Chief Executive Officer David Waddell believes it is time to take a stand against abuse. “I want to make it clear that the vast majority of our local community members treat Council employees with respect and courtesy, but when abuse does happen it can be damaging and should be called out,” Mr Waddell said. “I have a responsibility to provide a safe workplace to all Council staff.” Mr Waddell said this did not mean Council or councillors were above criticism but there were easy ways to raise issues with Council respectfully and politely. “Our staff are very patient and thick-skinned, but it’s time to draw a line in the sand and push back against a problem that seems to be getting worse. Our staff are mothers, fathers and neighbours who live here in Orange too. Most of my staff live in Orange, grew up here and love this city. I assume that the people who are abusive wouldn’t treat their mother or brother this way, but they feel it’s okay to say these things to Council staff. It’s not okay, and I hope this campaign can start to turn attitudes around.”

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