Protecting you at work

Shopworkers are often in the frontline when it comes to violence and abuse, here two members tell their story.

Deputy Store Manager Dickson Obine endured a nightmare three years after he was stabbed with a syringe in his hand and thigh by two drug-addicted shoplifters. The 36 year-old was attacked in March 2003 at the Co-op Bellingham store in South East London and was only given a clean bill of health two years later. The lengthy legal case was eventually settled in September last year.

"I was literally sick with worry," he said. "I thought I might have contracted AIDS and had a lengthy course of medication for hepatitis B. I couldn't sleep, I had migraines, flashbacks and was fearful of repeat attacks. I was off work for some time even though I tried to go back I couldn't cope with the fear. I became very depressed and started drinking. It was a really bad time for me. At times I wasn't being paid and I nearly lost my house. I felt neglected and I needed help. Thank God I was in Usdaw."

Dickson's case was allocated to Edmund Young of Rowley Ashworth Solicitors and went all the way to Court. "The judge was very critical of the employer," said Edmund. "In particular he drew attention to the absence of a security guard at the store. He also criticised the record-keeping of violent incidents calling it 'shambolic'. He also said the security measures and the risk assessment at the store did not reflect the threat of violence."

Dickson was impressed with the legal services he received. "I felt very safe in Edmund's hands. He kept me informed on how things were proceeding and when I had to go to court I was confident I would win. Although I was very relieved when the judge found in my favour and very surprised with the settlement, which was much bigger than I expected.

"I've been attacked in-store before. It is very dangerous and very stressful. Now I just want to get on with my job and my life."

Victory in County Court

Most incidents of violence at work are dealt with under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority - a government funded scheme which aims to compensate victims of crime. However Dickson Obine's case was different. Usdaw's appointed solicitor successfully sued the Co-op Group at the Wandsworth County Court for its failure to protect his safety and for contributing indirectly to the onset of post-traumatic stress disorder. When Dickson was awarded almost £19,000 it brought to an end a most distressing chapter in his life.

Vicious attack

An ordinary Sunday afternoon for Tesco forecourt worker Scott Chohan took a violent turn when an abusive customer punched him in the face knocking the 43 year-old to the ground.

"I was in the store next to the petrol station when I heard a man swearing and hurling racist abuse at one of the women, who was of Chinese descent," he said. "I told him there was no need for that, and to have some respect. He then turned his aggression on me and threatened to break my jaw. I said to the assistant 'don't serve him' and then he punched me in the jaw and head."

The attacker ran off and escaped in a car from the Norbury store in Croydon leaving Scott with bruising to the face. "The police were called and we managed to get the registration but so far the police haven't traced him.

"The assault really shook me up and I was off work for two weeks. My eye really did swell up a few days after the attack. It has also knocked my confidence and I'm much more nervous in store.

"Shop staff don't deserve this abuse and violence, we're just doing our job. I'm fully behind Usdaw's Freedom From Fear campaign."

For more information: www.usdaw.org.uk/member_services/legal_services/

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© 2003 (USDAW) Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers
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Last Modified: Wednesday, 28-Mar-2007 23:33:27 EST
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