Shopworkers ‘need support’
RETAIL trade union Usdaw has launched a Freedom from Fear summer campaign week to highlight the problem of threats and abuse aimed at shopworkers
Preliminary results from the union’s annual survey, based on replies from nearly 2,000 retail staff across the UK, show that in the past 12 months:
92% experienced verbal abuse;
70% were threatened by a customer;
14% were assaulted.
One in five victims has never reported an incident to their employer, including 5% who had been assaulted. In Derbyshire one shopworker said: “I get verbally abused on most occasions, on some I have been spat at and had hot drinks thrown at me.”
Paddy Lillis, general secretary of Usdaw, said: “It is heartbreaking to hear these testimonies from East
Midlands shopworkers who deserve far more respect than they receive. Our latest survey results clearly show the scale of the appalling violence, threats and abuse faced by shopworkers and demonstrate the
need for a ‘protection of shopworkers’ law. It has been a terrible year for our members, with over 90% of shopworkers suffering abuse, more than two-thirds threatened and one in seven assaulted.
“We are saying loud and clear that enough is enough, abuse should never be part of the job. At a time when we should all be working together to get through this crisis, it is a disgrace that staff working to keep food on the shelves and the shop safe for customers are being abused.
“Action to protect shop workers is needed. This week a new protection of shopworkers law comes into force in Scotland, but we are deeply disappointed that the UK Government has continued to resist a similar measure in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
“Retail staff have a crucial role in our communities and that role must be valued and respected, they deserve the protection of the law. This is a hugely important issue for our members. They are deeply concerned that the current high levels of abuse will become the norm, unless the Government takes urgent action.”
Mr Lillis said shopworkers were saying loud and clear “enough is enough”. He added: “The Government has promised to bring forward an amendment to their flagship policing bill in the Lords and we urge them to keep their word.”