While 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:
- 67% of South East shopworkers experienced verbal abuse (which is above the national average),
- 43% were threatened by a customer (also above the national average),
- with 51 assaulted every day (again 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 a South East shopworker can end up on the wrong side of a verbal or physical assault nearly once a fortnight. 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.”
Voices from the South East 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 South East:
Ashford: “Dealing with abusive customers a regular occurrence; they get annoyed because of being banned for theft. Then they decide to shout abuse”.
Banbury: “A man came towards me from the checkouts needing help but shouted ‘there’s the bitch’. I called for security and refused to serve him and told him why. The security guard escorted him out and I was lucky that day as we mostly don’t have back up. The family came in every weekend for the next six months shouting the foulest language. I had loads of witnesses and in the end I told them I’d call the police”.
Borehamwood: “Customer calling me a f***ing idiot and told to shut my mouth when I explained why I couldn't do what he wanted”
Brighton: “Throwing money at you; shouting at you”
Chatham: “A woman told me I looked like a “national” (foreigner- I am mixed race) and that she’s scared of me. She also said she hated carrying money because she’s scared someone like me will rob her.”
Gillingham: “I work on self-serve and when you point out they haven’t scanned an item they get abusive and if you have to do a full search they are in your face shouting”
Headington: “A shoplifter came running into me spun me around and shoved me in to a wine fridge”
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.
South East results of Usdaw’s 2018 survey, based on 307 responses, show that in 2018: 67.4% were verbally abused, 43.3% were threatened, 12.8% of shopworkers had been assaulted during their career, with 4.6% assaulted during 2018. All South East results are above the national average.
For Usdaw press releases visit: www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion