Usdaw’s Freedom From Fear Campaign works to prevent violence, threats and abuse against workers. We do this by engaging the public, shopworkers and the Government.
Results of last year’s Usdaw’s Freedom From Fear Survey show that over the past year over two-thirds of shopworkers were verbally abused, 41% were threatened and over 400 were assaulted every day. These are significant increases on last year’s survey with abuse and assaults up by 25%. To find out more view our 2019 Survey Results.
We raise awareness with the public that violence, threats and abuse against workers is unacceptable behaviour. We give workers the confidence to speak out and report abuse, not accept it as part of the job.
We also work with employers to achieve safety and security improvements in stores, and raise the issues of neighbourhood policing, retail crime and underage sales. We lobby the Government to enact a new law, creating a specific offence relating to assault on people who work in a face-to-face public role. We have come close to achieving this in the past but have been blocked by the Conservatives and the SNP.
Respect for Shopworkers Week is an important part of the Freedom From Fear campaign - this year's campaign took place from 16 to 22 November 2020. The purpose of the week is to support retail workers and ensure the general public understands the key message that abuse is not part of the job. Our Respect Week page contains more information.
Protection for Shopworkers In Scotland
Daniel Johnson MSP has been working hard to introduce a law that will give frontline retail workers important legal protections from the abuse and violence you face in the workplace.
This Bill will face its final vote in the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 19 January 2021 and we need your help to make sure that MSPs vote for it to have a chance of becoming the law.
Contact your MSP now >>