Jobcentre clients have been warned they are risking an antisocial behaviour order (Asbo) if they harass staff or cause trouble.
Managers at the Wellgate Jobcentre have signed an agreement with the city council which would see anyone responsible for misconduct reported to its antisocial behavior team.
This could result in people being given formal warnings or in more serious cases taken to court.
Council housing convener John Alexander visited the Jobcentre to sign the joint protocol.
He said: “Our antisocial behaviour team has a long and successful track record of creating innovative and lasting solutions to the problem across the city.
“Its approach has already been adopted by NHS Tayside to manage incidences of antisocial behaviour in the accident and emergency unit at Ninewells, and I am delighted that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has taken up a similar way of working.”
A DWP spokesman said: “We were impressed by the work carried out by the antisocial behaviour team with NHS Tayside, although the vast majority of the thousands of customers that come through our doors on a weekly basis behave impeccably.
“We are convinced that this agreement will enhance our current procedures and help improve behaviour in our Jobcentre.
“It is important that we create an atmosphere that allows us to work with our customers in their journey back into work.
“We believe that this new venture will be equally welcomed by our customers and staff.”
The new protocol is meant to ensure that any antisocial behaviour in the Jobcentre is dealt with consistently, achieving the earliest and most suitable resolution.
It will formalise working relationships and information exchange between the DWP and the council’s antisocial behaviour team and set out procedures for staff involved in dealing with incidents.
Where staff or customers feel under immediate threat the police or security staff will still be informed, but the protocol will tackle the bad behaviour after the incident by issuing warnings or pursuing Asbos.