One in 10 shopworkers physically assaulted

One in every 10 shopworkers has at some point been physically assaulted, according to shopworkers’ union, Usdaw.

The union revealed its shock survey results in the run up to ‘Respect for Shopworkers Week’ at the beginning of November.

Besides store robberies, many staff are being assaulted whilst trying to get on with their daily job. Many of these incidents are motiveless and random attacks, whilst many more are customers getting angry at being asked for ID or refused alcohol.

John Hannett, Usdaw General Secretary, said:

“It is an outrage that so many of our members can’t get on with their daily job without the fear of abuse from customers. That’s why Usdaw is running its ‘Freedom From Fear’ campaign again this year – to show that no abuse, either verbal or physical, of shopworkers is acceptable.

“Our survey shows that incidents of verbal abuse are going down. This is due in large part to our campaign, which has encouraged many employers to take the issue of staff safety much more seriously. However, the British Retail Consortium forecasts a possible rise in incidents of violence due to the economic downturn, coupled with increased stress over the Christmas period.

“Therefore we urge employers to make the security of their staff a top priority and for customers to keep their cool at Christmas and show due respect to shopworkers.”

Notes to Editors:

Respect for Shopworkers Week will take place from 3-7 November. Events will be held in stores nationwide throughout the week.

• Contacts for newsdesks: Usdaw’s Media Officer, Cherry Hamilton, can be contacted on 0161 249 2469 or e-mail cherry.hamilton@usdaw.org.uk
• Usdaw (the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK’s fourth biggest trade union, with over 368,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.
• More information and news releases are available at our online Newsroom.
• Subscribe/unsubscribe to Usdaw news releases via our online e-news service at: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/site/email.html

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