Hundreds of retail workers have taken part in free training from the charity Retail Trust to help protect them against an expected rise in abusive incidents over Christmas.
Hundreds of retail workers have taken part in free training from the charity Retail Trust to help protect them against an expected rise in abusive incidents over Christmas. It has also partnered with the JCDecaux Community Channel to raise awareness of staff abuse at the UK’s largest shopping centres.
More than 1,300 people from over 200 retailers registered for the masterclasses on managing challenging situations in London and also online earlier this month.
It follows research which found nearly half of workers (48%) don’t feel they have enough support to deal with current levels of violence, threats and abuse. The charity also found that 56% of those that feel unsupported want to leave their jobs over their fears around violence and abuse at work, compared to 17% who’ve been given support such as training. Clothing retailer H&M is to donate the proceeds of its carrier bag levy during November to help the Retail Trust roll out its free training.
The trust has also joined forces with outdoor advertising company JCDecaux UK to raise awareness of shop staff abuse on the screens of some of the country’s biggest shopping centres and encourage shoppers to act more kindly this Christmas. Digital billboards urging people to ‘stand together against abuse’ have appeared at locations including Westfield London, Liverpool One, St David’s and Westgate.
Chris Brook-Carter, chief executive of the Retail Trust, said: “The retail workers we speak to face dangerous and demoralising incidents every day and many say they particularly dread going into work over Christmas, because that’s when abuse peaks.
”They tell us they have products thrown at them and smashed in front of them while those delivering orders get doors slammed in their faces and objects hurled in their direction. The toll on their wellbeing is huge and it’s driving people away from a career they love.”
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