Whilst not all shopworkers suffer to this extent, some experience much higher levels of abuse, threats and violence. Usdaw’s Freedom From Fear Survey shows that during 2018:
- 61% of East Midlands shopworkers experienced verbal abuse,
- 39% were threatened by a customer,
- with 21 assaulted every day, which is above the national average.
The Government has opened a ‘call for evidence’ on this growing issue, following pressure from Usdaw, employers like the Co-op and retailers’ representative organisations like the Association of Convenience Stores, British Retail Consortium and National Federation of Retail Newsagents. The Government is seeking the views of organisations and individuals who wish to contribute to their understanding of the problem of violence and abuse toward shop staff in England and Wales. This consultation closes at 11pm on 28 June 2019 and submissions can be made online at:
www.homeofficesurveys.homeoffice.gov.uk/s/PVAUE/
Usdaw is running their own survey, which will feed into the Home Office ‘call for evidence’ and can be completed at:
www.usdaw.org.uk/respectsurvey
Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary says: “Violence, threats and abuse against workers are amongst the great scourges of our society. The statistics are shocking and show that urgent action is required. On average an East Midlands shopworker can end up on the wrong side of a verbal or physical assault every 18 days. Our message is clear, abuse is not a part of the job.
“Life on the frontline of retail can be pretty tough for many shopworkers and there is still a lot to do to help protect them. We launched our Freedom From Fear Campaign in the face of growing concerns amongst retail staff about violence, threats and abuse. The campaign works with employers to promote respect and make shops safer for staff and customers alike.
“So there needs to be action to help protect staff. We want the Government to provide stiffer penalties for those who assault workers; a simple stand-alone offence that is widely recognised and understood by the public, police, CPS, the judiciary and most importantly criminals.
“Usdaw welcomes the Government opening a ‘call for evidence’ and we encourage everyone concerned with this issue to make their voices heard by contributing to the Home Office online consultation or visiting the Usdaw website to complete our survey, which we will submit to the Government.
“Retail staff have a crucial role in our communities and that role must be valued and respected, they deserve the protection of the law.”
Vernon Coaker MP (Labour, Gedling) says: “The abuse of shopworkers is not a new phenomenon, however, in recent years the continued increase in routine abuse of our retail workers has both shocked and appalled me.
“The research conducted by USDAW makes for grim reading, especially considering that at an average of 21 shop workers are assaulted in the East Midland each day, which is sadly above the national average.
“Retail staff play an invaluable role in our society. Our economy would simply fail to be operational without the efforts of frontline staff, a fact made ever more poignant when considering the disproportionate number of frontline workers on zero-hours contracts.
“No one should be subjected to verbal hatred, intimidation or violence at work, and that’s why fully support USDAW’s Freedom From Fear Campaign. I have no doubt that the tireless efforts of USDAW, and the subsequent government ‘call for evidence’ will play a key role in reducing the number of shopworkers being the recipients of abhorrent behaviour from the consumer.
“I encourage all workers to make a submission via the Home Office survey, and play their part in restoring a culture of respect for retail workers”.
Voices from the East Midlands frontline: As part of Usdaw’s survey of violence, threats and abuse against shopworkers, respondents have the opportunity to feed back their experiences, here are some examples from the East Midlands:
Northampton: “Customers having a go at me and calling me names because we ran out of bags.”
Nottingham: “I was just trying to help a frustrated customer on self-scan and they threatened to head-butt me.”
Rugby: “Grabbed bag off shoplifter and he threw me into shelving.”
Nottingham: “Shouting at me due to not having product in stock.”
Bakewell: “A customer over-reacted over something out of my hands, racially abused me in front of other customers and colleagues.”
Derby: “Asking for ID is the main trigger, people who don't have it, people who are over 18 but under 25 get the most angry and confrontational and since the age limit has been put on energy drinks and they come under the ‘Challenge 25’ that has made things worse.”
Wellingborough: “I approached a male who was about to leave the store without offering payment. He became verbally abusive and physically pushed and winded me. I was left with a hand print on my upper chest area.”
Notes for editors:
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest and the fastest growing trade union with over 420,000 members. Membership has increased by more than one-third over the last couple of decades. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.
East Midlands results of Usdaw’s 2018 survey, based on 190 responses, show that in 2018: 60.5% were verbally abused, 39% were threatened, 7.8% of shopworkers had been assaulted during their career, with 3.7% assaulted during 2018, which is above the national average.
For Usdaw press releases visit: www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion