Late-night working - preventing violence to staff (Leaflet 294)

Date: 30 June 2009

Late-night working - preventing violence to staff

Usdaw members are in the firing line as violent crime continues to increase. This leaflet explains the problem and what members and the union can do about it.

Violent crime continues to increase. Shopworkers are on the frontline. British Retail Consortium figures show that one shopworker is attacked or threatened every minute of the shopping day.

Extended trading hours have increased the exposure to risk. Reduced staffing levels for late-night trading and problems with drunken customers make things even worse.

Opening and closing of the store are identified as particularly risky times from reports of incidents that have happened. Closing a store late at night is much worse than closing in the early evening. It also means that night shift staff such as shelf fillers have to travel to or from work at later hours when access to public transport or even use of their own cars may be more risky.

What the union can do

• Where the Union is recognised, we can use the legal powers given to Usdaw Health and Safety Reps to raise the issue with the employer and to negotiate for improvements like the ones suggested in this leaflet to make work safer for our members.
• The Union can also help members who are attacked to claim compensation. To start a claim members should call the FREE accident claim line FirstCall Usdaw on 0800 055 6333.

Join Usdaw - together we can make the workplace a safer place!

For further information or to join Usdaw ring the union helpline 0845 6060640 (calls charged at local rate), or join online.

Late-night working - preventing violence to staff (Leaflet 294) was correct at date of publication June 2009.

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Last Modified: Friday, 18-Sep-2009 23:12:36 EST