Arad Parsi introduced the work of the Trust started by the parents of Suzy Lamplugh, an estate agent reported missing when meeting a client in 1986 and was officially declared dead, presumed murdered, seven years later. Arad explained the importance ensuring all incidents of abuse and violence are recording and of personal safety at work and the wide-ranging effects violence has on workers, like stress, fatigue, depression and low self-esteem. He also highlighted the Trust’s charter for workplace safety, which was drawn up with businesses and trade unions, including Usdaw.
 
Addressing the webinar Zarda Hussain - Usdaw workplace rep and supermarket worker said: “Sadly, abuse and violence in the workplace has become the norm and not the exception for retail workers. Over the last two years, Usdaw members have seen record levels of violence and abuse at work.
 
“This isn’t a new issue. Usdaw has been campaigning for two decades to improve the safety of retail workers, specifically on the issue of workplace violence and abuse.
 
“Although the situation is bleak, there are some early signs that the work we have put in with the retail employers, the police and government lobbying may be starting to make a difference.”
 
Zarda concluded by highlighting the new legislation introduced in Holyrood and Westminster to help protect shopworkers and urged workers to join the union to help get protected, read and follow company safety policies, always report incidents of abuse and keep campaigning for respect for workers.”
 
Notes for editors:
 
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fifth biggest trade union with around 360,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemical industry and other trades.
 
Respect for Shopworkers Week 2022: 14 – 20 November with the theme of ‘report it to sort it’ www.usdaw.org.uk/freedomfromfear
 
Suzy Lamplugh Trust: www.suzylamplugh.org
 
Amendment 84 to the Police, Crime Sentencing and Courts Bill – Lords Hansard 15 December 2021: https://hansard.parliament.uk/lords/2021-12-15/debates/28547EAD-5F85-4D84-AC8E-1A19CC359B20/PoliceCrimeSentencingAndCourtsBill#contribution-8416AF16-070D-409D-B0EC-0C373BC7A3F3
 
Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services) (Scotland) Act 2021: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2021/6
 
For Usdaw press releases visit: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter @UsdawUnion