There’s a labor shortage happening in the U.S., and it’s been blamed on lazy workers, or workers being disincentivized by expanded federal unemployment benefits. But survey results suggest another group should take some of the blame: consumers who have treated workers poorly. A poll of restaurant workers earlier this year found 80 percent said they had experienced hostile behavior from customers who didn’t want to follow COVID-19 safety protocols. About 50 percent said they were considering leaving their jobs, and of that group, 40 percent said it was because of customer hostility and harassment. A survey of restaurant workers released in August showed similar results—more than 66 percent said a key reason for the labor shortage was customer disrespect. Stores such as Gap and H&M are trying to rebalance the power between customers and workers by launching campaigns to shield workers from hostile customers. Mark Cohen, director of retail studies at Columbia Business School says, “Workers will understandingly seek a best decision for themselves, something they haven’t had the luxury of in the past.”