Disabled retail worker wears 'don't touch me' badge after customer harassment

25 October 2023 , 12:06

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Elizabeth Doyle has taken measures to improve their working life (Image: Elizabeth G Doyle)

A retail worker has to wear a "don't touch me" badge at work as due to their disabilities they are hypersensitive and can suffer a "meltdown".

Elizabeth Doyle, who is neurodivergent and non-binary, using they/them pronouns, has told how they have had to endure customers ruffle their hair and even slap their bottom, causing them distress.

Neurodiversity describes people with brains that function differently and this can lead to differences in communicating, social preferences or ways of learning. Neurodiverse conditions can include autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or dyslexia.

Doyle, 31, from Wolverhampton, lives with a range of disabilities that cause them to be hypersensitive. Everyday experiences such as going to work or even filling out a job application, can feel like a very tough task. And they now wear a "please don't touch me. Thanks for understanding" badge just to get through a shift.

They have to wear a "don't touch me badge" at work (Elizabeth G Doyle)

They have told BirminghamLive what it is like being neurodivergent and why they claim more employers, and the public, need to respect personal space. Doyle works at a retail job part time due to their conditions.

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They said: "I've had customers jostle my hair when I've been crouched down stocking a shelf or they have reached over me. I've even had a customer slap my bum. Being neurodivergent, for me this is an absolute sensory nightmare and can trigger me to have a meltdown. Because I'm being overstimulated and have an intense reaction when being touched or having my space invaded.

"In public facing roles, such as retail, for some reason people think that because you work amongst the public you are a free-for-all." Doyle also lives with post-traumatic stress disorder due to experiences in their past, another reason they are triggered by unwanted touching.

They acknowledge businesses have posters at work explaining that staff abuse will not be tolerated, but claim this does not cover rights to personal space. Doyle said: "A reasonable adjustment that I've had at work for this problem is wearing a badge that says 'Please don't touch me. Thanks for understanding' I've definitely seen an improvement in how many people touch me.

"But some people are absolutely oblivious and touch me regardless of the badge. The badge although helpful, also makes me feel like I’m making an eyesore out of myself. I have to label myself just to have my space respected and I am the only voice standing up for my needs."

Husna Anjum