Usdaw has launched shocking statistics from its annual survey to mark the beginning of this year’s Respect for Shopworkers week.
Results found unacceptable levels of verbal abuse, threats and assaults against retailer staff, primarily caused by thefts from shops.
Interim results from over 4,000 retail staff responses show that in the last twelve months, 69% have experienced verbal abuse, while 45% were threatened by a customer.
An appalling 17% were assaulted and 70% of all incidents were triggered by shoplifting and two-thirds of those were linked to addiction.
The annual Respect for Shopworkers week runs from 11-17 November, with Usdaw members raising awareness of the union’s year-round Freedom From Fear Campaign and talking to the public to promote a message of ‘respect for shop workers’.
This week, Usdaw activists will be campaigning in their workplaces and communities to urge the public to ‘respect shop workers’ and ‘keep your cool’.
These messages are especially important as we approach Christmas, a time when the number of incidents tends to rise due to busy shops and increasingly frustrated customers.
Voices from the frontline: These are some of the comments shop workers shared when responding to Usdaw’s survey:
- “Shoplifter grabbed my arm and scratched it. Customer told me the shop is a f**king joke and she would wipe smile off my face.”
- “Aggressive and rude, no manners, just push their way in. Blame you for things not being stocked anymore. Hit with trollies or baskets without a sorry.”
- “Customer threw items at myself and colleagues. Big gangs of youths behaving badly and refusing to leave the premises when asked to do so.”
- “Homophobic comments, threats to hurt me because I refused a sale, mocking me when asked for ID. I was once held up at knifepoint. Often told to f**k off.”
- “As I was leaving work, I was confronted by a man who came straight at me and physically hit my shoulder without any reason or motive.”
- “Threatened and attempted assault for note checking. Been asked out, he refused to take it I already have a partner. Pushed me against the wall.”
- “Sworn at regularly, particularly by young customers when asked for ID for cigarettes and energy drinks. Had bottles of medicine thrown at me.”
- “Daily personal insults. Swearing because I can’t sell them alcohol because they’re drunk. One squared up to me and threatened me with physical violence.”
Paddy Lillis Usdaw general secretary said the survey demonstrates that theft from shops is not a victimless crime, with incidents regularly being a major flashpoint for violence and abuse against shop workers: “Our survey demonstrates that theft from shops is not a victimless crime, with incidents regularly being a major flashpoint for violence and abuse against shop workers. Having to deal with repeated and persistent theft and even looting can cause issues beyond the incident itself like anxiety, fear and in some cases physical harm to retail workers. Our members are reporting that they are often faced with hardened career criminals in their stores and much of the abuse they suffer is from those who are stealing to sell goods on, often to fund an addiction.
“The Chancellor announced in the Budget funding to tackle the organised criminals responsible for the increase in shoplifting and the Government has promised more uniformed officer patrols in shopping areas. It is our hope that these new measures will help give shop workers the respect they deserve.
“This is a hugely important issue for our members and they are saying loud and clear that enough is enough,” Lillis added.
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