Usdaw calls on retail employers to tackle understaffing to make store safer and reduce stress

Addressing the conference in Blackpool’s Winter Gardens, Joanne Thomas – Usdaw general secretary said: “Nothing is more important than the safety and welfare of our members. There is an increasing trend across all retailers to reduce staffing levels, this is what happens when profit is put first at every stage. Everywhere I go, every store I visit, I have members speaking to me about what seems to be their ever-increasing workload, about the stress this puts on them, about the stress it puts on their colleagues and about concerns for their personal safety. So I know how important this is to our members.

“Even when stores are properly staffed, retail is a tough job. Physically demanding, emotionally draining, mentally exhausting. I know that, our members know that, employers should know that too. But too often, maximum profit means minimal staffing. With no thought for the impact on safety and wellbeing.

“Employers must ensure there are enough staff in a store, enough staff to serve customers effectively, enough staff to carry out the work required without being overburdened, enough staff to maintain safety and protect welfare. I also want 
all of our members to be under no illusions as to the efforts that Usdaw is consistently making on this. To be clear, Usdaw does not agree to reductions in staff numbers. These are decisions taken by employers, without our agreement and often without any engagement.

“We always strongly oppose any move to reduced headcounts, not only that, we raise members' concerns on this at every opportunity. Because this has gone too far and there needs to be change, it's all of our jobs to challenge this. Not only in the boardroom, but also on the shop floor.

“We need to organise and recruit, to give our members the confidence and the support they need, so that when their workloads are unreasonable, when they are missing their breaks, when one person is doing the work that used to be done by two, or three, or more. They have confidence to stand up against this, knowing that Usdaw stands with them.”