Stamp it Out announce theme of Respect our Workforce week.
Stamp it Out, the industry wide programme to eradicate workforce abuse by members of the public have announced the theme for next year's Respect our Workforce Week.
Entitled #thinkrespect, activity during the week will focus upon how those carrying out a service to the public should be afforded the same levels of respect as other professions and key workers.
With many local authorities already signed up to to the Stamp it Out commitment pledge the week will feature a series of both industry and public facing campaigns aimed at highlighting the high levels of abuse our workforces face on a weekly basis with almost 50% of those carrying out works on the public highways experiencing abuse on a weekly basis.
The week will feature a series of localised media campaigns across the UK aimed at the road user as well as a number of initiatives by the supply chain aimed at reinforcing the Stamp it Out message to the workforce.
Speaking about the launch of the theme, Kevin Robinson, Programme Director for Stamp it Out said,
"One of the biggest goals for our programme has always been to better communicate with those using our roads that when they come across the workforce they are carrying out vital works to maintain and repair the public highway.
"Our aim through the #thinkrespect campaign and respect our workforce week is to do exactly this.
"There needs to be a greater understanding of the vital role these people play in keeping our roads moving but at the same time respect is something which has to go both ways so we are aiming to enable our workforce to engage with the public in a positive manner and as such reduce the conflict which sadly seems to be so frequent on the network."
Respect our Workforce Week will also see the launch of specially liveried Traffic Management and Civil Engineering vehicles, a decision driven in principle by leading client organisations and their key contractors.
One of those, R&W Civil Engineering operate a significant fleet across both the National Highways Strategic Road Network and also undertake large swathes of work for local authority clients.
Speaking about the decision to apply magnetic signs to their vehicles bearing the Stamp it Out logo, James Poole, Contracts Manager for the organisation said,
""Great to see the first vans rolling out with our #stampitout signage. While we wait for our branded vehicles we’ve had these magnets made so we can keep spreading the message!"
Echoing the sentiment, Dave Shaw, Director of HW Martin Traffic Management said,
"For many years we have seen significant challenges with members of the public entering our worksites, either in vehicles or on foot and posing a risk to our workforce.
"As an industry, we have a duty of care to those we put to work and removing the risk of abuse, both verbal and physical is a key element of this.
"That is why we as an organisation will offer unequivocal support to both the Stamp it Out programme and the #thinkrespect campaign."
Other elements such as branded PPE designs for organisations to adopt and targeted signage as well as high level engagement with both government and the police will also form key components of the campaign with further details to follow.
The week will climax with the Stamp it Out summit, to be held at 8 Northumberland Avenue on the 13th March, where delegates will hear from industry thought leaders on the progress made to date to tackle the issue as well as outputs from a series of key meetings and smaller consultation events.