New campaign aims to encourage changed behaviour towards TRC staff

A new campaign aimed at improving customer behaviour towards employees has been launched today (Friday, October 18, 2024) by Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC).

The “There’s a person behind the job – Choose Respect” campaign was launched today at City Hall by Toowoomba Region Mayor Cr Geoff McDonald.

“Our people are the most important element of our organisation as they deliver exceptional services to the community across the Toowoomba Region each and every day,” Mayor McDonald said.

“They are more than just employees, they are mothers, fathers, partners, brothers, sisters, family members, neighbours and friends, with many living and working right here in the Region.

“They are involved in community groups, sporting clubs, schools and many volunteer organisations outside of their paid roles with Council.

“Our people have a real love of community and that’s why they are attracted to work in local government, to strive to make their own community a better place.

“This campaign is about highlighting to our people that Council values them and their contribution to the Region and that abuse and intimidation of them by customers simply won’t be tolerated.

“Our staff have a tough job and sometimes the answers they give to the community aren’t always filled with good news. That’s why there’s more work to be done in encouraging some to think about the person behind the job before they interact with our staff in a negative way.

“The timing of the campaign has been chosen as we move into the back end of the year, which is traditionally a time when we see a spike in the wrong type of behaviour towards staff. We understand that it’s a busy time of year as we move towards Christmas but that’s simply no excuse for abuse or intimidation and our hope is that this campaign encourages the community to choose respect.

“Abuse and intimidation of our staff is simply not on and it’s disappointing that in recent times we’ve seen some community members charged by police and prosecuted in the courts for the way in which they’ve chosen to interact with TRC staff.

“That sort of behaviour is what this campaign is aimed at stamping out and we are asking the community to stop and think about the person behind the job before they choose the wrong type of behaviour towards our people.

“Our people deserve to go home at the end of each day having not been abused or intimidated by members of the public.”

The campaign will feature advertising on buses, billboards, print advertising as well as social media and digital channels to capture the attention of as many people as possible across the Toowoomba Region.

A dedicated web page has also been set up at www.tr.qld.gov.au/respectourstaff

Caption: TRC Customer Service Officer Sam launches the campaign, There’s a person behind the job – Choose Respect, with Toowoomba Region Mayor Cr Geoff McDonald.