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 79% of shopworkers said that abuse was worse last year. 88% experienced verbal abuse, 60% were threatened by a customer and 9% were assaulted.
To find out more view our 2020 Survey Results.
Our campaign has made huge strides in 2021. In August, as a result of our campaigning a new ground-breaking law to protect shopworkers from violence, threats and abuse was introduced in Scotland.
We continue to fight for equivalent legislation in the UK Parliament and have been successful in progressing amendments to the Police, Crime Sentencing and Courts Bill to include protections for shopworkers. More can be done and the campaign continues; we won't rest until shopworkers have the protection they deserve.
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.
Respect for Shopworkers Week is an important part of the Freedom From Fear campaign - this year's campaign takes place from 15 to 21 November 2021. 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.