While aghast at the figure quoted for city council staff sick leave, I can't help recalling a recent incident.

While working for a customer in Cowley whose ground extends to the pavement, a middle aged to elderly woman approached me while I was blowing leaf litter back into the border to be gathered up later.

Without being giving any chance to explain the object of my work, she questioned me 'are you Council?' then declared I was 'useless' and walked off. Easy to take when you're expecting it, but out of the blue it is a shock.

Whether pavement rage/ noise intolerance, or taking your frustrations out on the wrong person, I would not blame staff for taking time off if they were subjected to such attacks. The public should think twice before approaching workers, either in person or on the telephone, in such a way. Richard Barrett, Mayfair Road, owley

Oxford