What can HR learn from this Tim Horton employee incident?

There’s a fine line between a heated argument in the communal kitchen to a full-blown row and eventual arrest

BY Emily Douglas 17 May 2018

Disputes in the workplace can often turn ugly. However, there’s a fine line between a heated argument in the communal kitchen to a full-blown row and eventual arrest.

A Tim Hortons employee found this out the hard way, after an enraged customer threw her own feces at them in a fit of anger.

Workers at the iconic Canadian coffee chain called the Royal Canadian Mounted Police after an argument ensued between staff and a customer. The incident is now under investigation.

In a statement released to the media, a Tim Horton’s spokesperson highlighted the plight of employees in instances such as these.

“We strive to create a welcoming environment for all of our guests and the communities we serve," the statement read. "We are deeply concerned by this video as the safety of our team members and guests is always a top priority for us."

Safeguarding employee wellbeing in the workplace should be of the upmost importance to HR leaders, as is fostering a culture of openness and transparency.

We recently spoke to Jeff Manchester, a strategic advisor, who revealed the key to fostering authentic leadership throughout the entire organization.

“What we’ve found is that a key to the true success of unlocking all the potential in an organization is to foster that same leadership, talent and capabilities in everybody who’s working for them,” he explained.