Cleveland council addresses verbal abuse of city employees

CLEVELAND - The verbal abuse of employees at Cleveland City Hall employees was addressed by the city council Monday night.

Councilman Rush Mauney said he was concerned about the verbal abuse the employees have been subject to from people who are upset about their water bill.

In a majority of the cases, the caller is the reason there is a problem - for failure to pay their bill on time and the water is cut off.

Mauney said it not a random thing. For some it's people who have repeated water cut-offs.

"I think we, as a council, should have a no tolerance policy," Mauney said. "Our people should not be cursed at, period."

Mauney told the council the employees have been subjected to the abuse both on the phone and in person in the office and, in a recent incident, an employee was in tears following the incident.

According to Mauney this is "verbal abuse and creates a hostile work environment, and the city could be sued by our own employees."

Mauney said he didn't know what city officials could do, but said the city needs a zero tolerance when it comes to verbal abuse.

He said anyone can call or come in and work out a payment plan without being abusive.

Cleveland Police Chief John Foster said when this type of action occurs by a person in the office, their attitude changes when a police officer walks in.